​Parfetts to expand reach with new depot in Southampton

Employee-owned wholesaler Parfetts has secured its ninth depot in Southampton thus strengthening its national footprint.

The Stockport-based company will open a new 113,000 sq ft depot that will enable it to deliver across the south coast and into Greater London while also serving as cash and carry depot for retailers across the region.

The move will create over 100 new jobs and support the expansion of the symbol groups, which include Go Local, Go Local Extra, The Local, and Shop & Go.

The depot will launch later this year and provide independent retailers across the South with access to a wide range of regular promotions, from weekly manager’s specials to Big Ticket promotions and quarterly showcases.

Regular three-weekly promotions cover a vast array of products, plus EDLP lines offer increased value and margin across key products in any promotional period.

Commenting on the development, Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, said, “The launch of our ninth depot underlines our commitment to serving a national customer base.

"We are determined to bring our employee-owned model to as many retailers as possible to ensure they can benefit from the industry-leading support we offer.

“We are on track to reach £1bn turnover and 2,000 symbol group retailers. Our relentless focus on supporting retailer margins has accelerated our growth over the last few years.”

Unitas Wholesale managing director, John Kinney, said: "Unitas member Parfetts’ second new depot in three years demonstrates the incredible strength of their retail cash & carry and delivery model," Retailers love to visit the new generation of state-of-the art depots like Parfetts Birmingham. They are perfect showrooms for suppliers’ innovative and ingenious merchandising displays and Parfetts is leading the way.

“We are delighted that one of our biggest members is expanding into national coverage with its excellent Go Local proposition. We look forward to supporting the whole Parfetts team as they bring their fantastic independent wholesale and symbol model to thousands more retailers in the south of England.”

In the last financial year (2023-2024), Parfetts saw an eight per cent increase in turnover to £696 million. It saw record investments in its own label range, which now has over 200 lines designed to offer industry-leading margins.

The wholesaler also invested in a digital agency to support the development of its digital platforms to create a best-in-class experience for retailers. The enhanced digital offering is designed to simplify ordering and provide the data retailers need to support margins.

Noel Robinson, joint managing director of Parfetts, said, “We continue to invest in our offer with an award-winning symbol group, a rapidly expanding own label offering, and a value proposition designed to support retailer margins.

"As an employee-owned business, Parfetts can reinvest in the business and support customers. We remain focused on keeping things simple for our retailers, with our symbol group offering a flexible package tailored to store location, size, current turnover, and growth potential. We are excited to launch the new depot later this year.”

Parfetts also launched a new forecourt and transient customers symbol format in December.

The new format Shop & Go offers a bespoke product range and dedicated promotions designed for specific shopper missions, emphasising impulse, confectionery, snacks, and soft drinks. It also provides food-to-go, beers, wines, spirits, and specialist ranges, including car care and maintenance.

Parfetts' current depots are in Aintree, Anfield, Birmingham, Halifax, Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Somercotes and Stockport.