The Federation of Wholesale Distributors is calling for industry co-operation to prevent the illegal sale of duty-unpaid alcohol on the UK market after a National Audit Office report criticised HMRC for failing to engage the supply chain in tackling the issue. 

In ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors’ Criminal Intelligence Database has had an excellent start to the year with four arrests in eight days as a result of collated information passed to the police.

Prompt reporting of incidents and suspicious activity at cash ...

The Annual Federation of Wholesale Distributors' conference takes place at Hotel Russell in central London on July 12 2012.

The event, which includes the HIM wholesale tracker programme unveiling, a drinks reception and dinner, brings together manufacturers, ...

A long-distance date for the diary - FWD's Gold Medal Presentations will take place at Old Billingsgate in London on November 29, 2012.

The former wholesale fish market  was the perfect venue for the 2011 event and its popularity with the 550 guests in attendance ...

FWD has issued guidance on the likely requirements of the new tobacco display regulations in Cash and Carry premises, which come into force in April.

The Department of Health issued its own advice on how the Health Act requirements will be applied in late December, and ...

FWD's Review of 2011, which sums up the Federation's activities in the past year and lays out plans for 2012, is published today.

Among the achievements of a momentus year were the setting up of the All Party Wholesale Group, a succesful programme of MP engagment ...

The Chancellor's Autumn Statement, presented today, included policy announcements of interest to FWD members.

Download the full document here

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FWD has welcomed the Government’s decision to defer January’s proposed fuel duty increase, and the announcement of investment in road infrastructure, vehicle technology and skills which will help wholesalers further improve their service to customers.

The 3.02 ...

A short film of the FWD's Gold Medal Awards held on November 24 at Old Billingsgate, London. Thanks to all our sponsors and congratulations to the winners. See you next year!

A family team received the recognition of over 500 of their industry peers as they picked up a special award for their contribution to the wholesale sector at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors’ Gold Medal Awards in London.

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The Federation of Wholesale Distributors is warning retailers to be on their guard against criminals selling alcohol products to shops, after four independent stores in the same London Street had their licence removed for selling wines and spirits on which UK duty had not been ...

Food and Agriculture Minister Jim Paice MP praised the “vital if often unseen” role of FWD members at a House of Commons reception to mark the inauguration of the All Party Wholesale Group of MPs and peers.

Mr Paice said the event, which was attended by 130 ...

Voting has now ended for the FWD Gold Medal awards, which are presented on November 24 at Old Billingsgate, London.

Sponsored by Magners, the awards for exceptional service from the wholesale sector include recogntion for individual achievement among depto managers, shop ...

Independent retailers must avoid the temptation to buy illegal stocks of beer to compete with supermarkets’ irresponsible promotions, says the Federation of Wholesale Distributors ...

  The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has congratulated HM Revenue and ...

Former River Cafe Head Chef and partner Theo Randall will be the keynote speaker at Catersummit, the catering and foodservice supply chain conference on October 17-18.

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Duty stamps on beer bottles and cans will protect retailers from buying illicit alcohol, says the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD).

Introducing stamps or fiscal marks to beer products on which UK ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) is calling on the Government to introduce duty stamps on beer cans and bottles in order to prevent illegal sales which are costing the Exchequer £800m a year.

The call comes as figures published in HMRC’s ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has asked the Government to put an immediate freeze on the adult National Minimum Wage (NMW) and to establish a more considered process for assessing future increases. ... read more

The future of independent caterers comes under the spotlight at Catersummit, the foodservice supply chain conference on October 17-18.   The event, which this year bears the title On the Menu: ...

Food Minister Jim Paice MP has underlined the foodservice wholesale sector’s critical role in the food supply chain during a visit to 3663’s ...

 The latest edition of the FWD update for members and associate members can be ... read more

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has praised HM Revenue and Customs for its success in halting an illegal operation which avoided more than £2.3m in duty on alcohol sold in the UK. The owner ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has issued two new advisory posters warning retailers of the dangers of buying alcohol from grey market suppliers.

... read more

The ...

 Independent wholesalers need to work together with the larger national operators to stamp out crime against their premises and vehicles, says the Federation of Wholesale Distributors’ Criminal ...

Food and drink wholesalers across the UK are working to provide riot-hit communities in London and other major cities with their essential supplies after this week’s attacks on ...

Just one week remains to take advantage of the early bird discount for the Federation of Wholesale Distributors' Annual Dinner and Gold Medal Presentations at Old Billingsgate, London on November 24.

A group of MPs and Peers has come together to represent the interests of the wholesale supply chain in Parliament. The All Parliamentary Party Wholesale Group, which held its inaugural ...

The combination of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors' Annual Conference and the HIM wholesale unveiling and awards was a hit with delegates, with 200 wholesalers, suppliers, retailers and caterers attending the ...

Federation of Wholesale Distributors Chairman Chris Etherington told wholesalers and suppliers that they have "a great opportunity to get together" under the FWD banner and work in partnership to support their customers.

Closing the FWD's conference in London, ...

Palmer and Harvey, Booker, 3663 and Landmark Wholesale were all winners at the him! Wholesale Awards, which were presented as part of the FWD conference.

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Powerpoint presentations from the speakers at the FWD Annual Conference and HIM Wholesale Unveiling held at Hotel Russell in London on July 14 2011.

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 The deadline for nominations for the 2011 FWD Gold Medals is August 10.

The annual celebration of the outstanding ...

A short film to illustrate the promotional work done by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors on behalf of its members and their customers to introduce Ministers, MPs, peers and the public to the value of the ...

Chuka Umunna, the Shadow Minister for Small Business and Innovation, has joined the line up of speakers at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors’ conference on July 14. The Labour MP for Streatham leads for the ...

A poll of more than 6000 retailers and caterers will reveal the customers’ favourite supply chain partners in a special awards ceremony at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD)’s Annual Conference ...

National Independents Week, the annual celebration of the contribution to communities made by local shops, has seen stores across the country receive the My Shop is Your Shop Gold Award for community ...

The line-up for this year's Federation of Wholesale Distributors' Annual conference, which takes place at Hotel Russell in central London on July 14, is announced today.

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 An impressive list of parliamentary heavyweights is adding its support to the My Shop is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign, which invites MPs to experience for themselves the community ties and customer service offered by ...

The security committee of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors has issued a leaflet warning cash and carry customers to be aware of the threat of theft from their vehicles while on FWD members’ premises. ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has welcomed the government’s renewed strategy for tackling tobacco smuggling but has warned that appropriate resources must be put into ...

An update on proposed changes to health and safety legislation of interest and concern to FWD members. 

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 Suppliers and wholesalers are showing their support for independent retailers with a series of promotional offers to mark National Independents’ Week, May 29-June 4.

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Last week’s Budget and new powers introduced today have underlined the Government’s commitment to cracking down on alcohol duty fraud, says the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD). ...

 A new event is bringing together the brightest talents from wholesalers, retailers, caterers and big name retail brands in a single day conference and awards presentation.... read more

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The My Shop is Your Shop campaign launched in style last week with the first in a series of visits by MPs to great local stores.

Staff at the Nisa Local store in Broadway were presented with a ...

This year's FWD Gold Medal Awards ceremony may be months away, but the event - held this year in the former wholesale market at Billingsgate on the banks of the Thames in London - already has a full complement of ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) is urging Chancellor George Osborne to scrap the increase in fuel duty planned for next week’s Budget and is backing Labour’s call for a ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has warned retailers of the dangers of dealing with unknown suppliers of alcoholic products, following HM Revenue and Customs ...

The FWD's Annual Conference and him! Wholesale Awards takes place on July 14 at Hotel Russell in London, ... read more

Daventry MP Christopher Heaton-Harris has visited the Northampton branch of Booker to see for himself the contribution the wholesaler makes to the vitality of small businesses in his ...

 FWD Annual Conference: Strategies for Growth

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 The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) relaunches its My Shop is Your Shop campaign this month with a new look and a stronger focus on promoting the value of independent stores, both to potential ...

 The Federation of Wholesale Distributors is calling for the immediate withdrawal of HMRC’s excise duty ‘drawback’ regime on at-risk alcohol products after the ...

The Government must urgently review its definition of ‘below cost’ for alcoholic products, says the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD), after it was revealed that the proposal of a minimum price of ...

Independent off licences should always buy their wines and spirits from reliable sources, says the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD), after reports that up to a ...

  More than 1.8 million litres of illicit wine have been seized by HMRC and the UK Borders Authority since the ‘Tackling Alcohol Fraud’ strategy was introduced in April 2010, the ...

A new database of criminal activity against wholesalers will help to secure a fundamental change in police and government policy on theft from commercial premises and vehicles.... read more

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson showed his support ...

Action by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has prevented wholesalers in Scotland from having to sign up to a national register if they sell tobacco ...

The Government has missed an opportunity to impose a realistic ban on ... read more

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has launched the most intensive public affairs programme in its history, which will see its members’ interests represented at the very highest levels of ...

The two unmissable dates in the wholesale distribution trade’s calendar will come together in 2011 to give attendees a value-for-money single day event including a conference, dinner and awards ceremony. ...

The FWD Annual Dinner and Gold Medal Awards presentation is going back to the industry’s roots with a move to a new venue on November 24. This year’s event ...

Sheffield MP Clive Betts has visited his local Parfett’s cash and carry depot in the first of an FWD programme of events intended to introduce MPs to the wholesale sector and the service it provides. ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has praised HM Customs and Revenue (HMRC) for its action today on tackling suspected alcohol duty fraud, which saw twenty arrests made in dawn raids in the South East and the ...

FWD chief executive James Bielby said last week’s severe weather conditions had shown the public the value of local shops and their distribution partners in an interview on BBC Television on December 3rd.
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 The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) and the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) have announced their intention to work closely together, with the chief executives of each organisation joining the ...

Members of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors are ensuring the nation’s independent retailers and caterers remain stocked with food and drink despite the weather conditions, but are disappointed in the lack ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has warned that the Government’s intention to introduce an additional duty on ‘super strength’ beers ...

Depot managers, floor workers and delivery drivers received the appreciation of the wholesale industry at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors’ Gold Medal Awards at The Savoy in London on November ...

The FWD Gold Medals for suppliers are voted for by the members of the Federation and were presented at The Savoy on November 25. A report of the evening can be found ... read more

The FWD Gold Medals for the wholesale industry were presented at The Savoy on November 25. A report of the evening can be found ... read more

 Palmer & Harvey chief executive Chris Etherington is the new Chairman of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD)’s Council of Members.

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 Phil Smith, managing director of Musgrave Retail Partners GB, has announced today that he is leaving the company and will therefore also step down as Chairman of the FWD council of ...

Independent retailers who buy cheap alcoholic products from illegitimate wholesalers are putting their business at risk as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) adds ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has applauded the ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has written to the Treasury ahead of next week’s Spending Review to express concern at the proposed budget and staffing ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has appointed David Visick to the new post of Director of Communications, a role created to help ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has welcomed the announcement in today's Budget that Excise Duties for alcohol and tobacco will not be increased, but the FWD's Chief Executive, James Bielby, has spoken out against the increase in VAT which is due to take place from 4 ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors is calling for the Government ban alcohol sales below invoice price when it implements its pledge to prohibit the sale below cost alcohol.

FWD chief executive James Bielby said: "The Federation of Wholesale Distributors supports the ...

The Federation of Wholesale distributors is calling for George Osborne to create an environment which creates sustained economic growth for the wholesale distribution sector in his Emergency Budget on June 22.

In its submission to the new Chancellor the FWD urges the Government ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has welcomed the new coalition Government, after days of uncertainty over who would form the next Government.

James Bielby, FWD chief executive, said: "FWD members will be interested to see how the coalition Government and the policies ...

Musgrave Retail Partners GB managing director Phil Smith has been elected chairman of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors at its annual general meeting.

Mr Smith, who has been a member of the FWD Council of members since 2008, takes over from Francis Ball, who has been in ...

Treasury minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry has praised the FWD's "radical" proposals to clamp down on the ongoing problem of duty fraud on alcohol.

Speaking in a House of Commons debate on alcohol fraud, tabled on FWD's behalf by Paul Rowen MP, Ms McCarthy-Fry said: "The FWD has made ...

James Bielby has taken over as chief executive of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors from today, June 1.

Mr Bielby, 34, joined the FWD in March as deputy director general and replaces retiring director general John Murphy. James was previously editor of convenience title ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has enthusiastically welcomed Government moves announced in the Budget to counter duty fraud on alcohol, after intensively lobbying for such action.

HM Revenue and Customs has revealed a raft of potent anti-fraud measures aimed at stemming ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors is calling for the Government to ban the below-cost selling of alcohol in the UK off trade market.

Responding to a draft mandatory code of practice for the alcohol industry drawn up by the Home Office as part of the Police and Crime Bill, ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors is pleased to announce the appointment of James Bielby to the position of Deputy Director General.

James, who is currently the editor of "Retail Express", joins the FWD team on March 2, 2009 and will report to director general, John ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has welcomed the call from MPs on the Commons home affairs select committee to ban the selling of alcohol at below cost.

"FWD has already voiced its concern to the Prime Minister over the practice of below cost selling of alcohol by the ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors, whose members comprise the supply mechanism of food and drink to some 50,000 independent convenience stores, has condemned the CC's Provisional Decision on Remedies for its failure to address pricing anomalies that were uncovered during the ...

The most talented people in the wholesale channel were celebrated by a sell-out audience at the FWD Annual Dinner & Gold Medal Awards at the Café Royal in London on 29th November. The event was sponsored by Mars UK & A G Parfett & Sons. Please see a list of the winners ...

A new publication, "The Food Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice: Wholesale Distributors" which provides advice to food wholesalers, on how to comply with Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs has been published by The Stationery Office.

The guide, which ...

Federation of Wholesale Distributors Response to Provisional Findings

"Our initial reaction is that this is a classic Parson's Egg – being good in parts," said John Murphy, director general of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors.

"For example, FWD ...

SMALL RETAILERS SAY COMMUNITY SUPPORT BOOSTS BUSINESS

The FWD My Shop Is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign welcomed new research by the Tenon Forum which revealed that more than three quarters of smaller retailers believe that support for their local community is good ...

The My Shop is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign focus on the health and environmental benefits arising from using local shops has received a boost from the new Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) report which says local shopping should be undertaken by foot.

The IEEP ...

How was it for me? The question will be answered by independent c store and newsagent owner Lesley Brown when she reviews her My Shop Is Your Shop.

(MSYS) campaign days at the wholesale industry conference on March 27.

Presented by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors ...

Launched 16 years ago, Drinksummit has become the premier event for wholesalers and suppliers involved in the drinks business.

The theme this year is "Driving Off-Licence Value". Papers confirmed to date are:

Peter Reynolds, ACNielsen, Simon Oldham, Whyte & Mackay, Neil ...

FWD has given a warm welcome to a Budget announcement that new measures are being put in place to stem one aspect of duty fraud in the UK alcohol market – particularly as it concerns the beer market.

HM Revenue and Customs announced today that it is clarifying its guidance to ...

Local dignitaries joined customers and children from the nearby school forthe presentation of the £1,000 winner's cheque awarded in the FWD My Shop Is Your Shop reader competition in Convenience Store.

Held at the Lawnside store of Sukhwinder (Suki)and Santoth Singh Samra, in ...

FWD REACTION TO THE CC'S EMERGINING THINKING ON GROCERY MARKET INQUIRY

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has greeted the Competition Commission's emerging thinking document as being generally helpful, but queries the basis for the CC's preliminary finding ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has greeted the Competition Commissions emerging thinking document as being generally helpful, but queries the basis for the CCs preliminary finding that larger grocery retailers do not enjoy consistently favourable price differentials from ...

Lesley and William Brown, who run the Frankmarsh Stores off licence, grocers and newsagents in Barnstaple, North Devon, are the first independent retailers in the UK to publish their daily programme for the first ever National Independents' Week (NIW).

After a staff ...

Wholesalers have welcomed a Government move that means they will not now be burdened by additional inspection costs if they sell packaged organic products.

Amendments to the Organic Products Regulations last year could have meant that wholesalers selling organic products needed ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors is pleased to announce that Francis Ball, Vice President, Costco Wholesale Corporation & Managing Director, Costco Wholesale UK Ltd, was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Federation at its Annual General Meeting on April 4.

Costco ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors hailed the news that the Office of Fair Trading is minded to refer the grocery market for a full review by the Competition Commission.

"This is an unexpected but extremely welcome volte-face by the OFT. They seem to have ticked all the ...

Three more major suppliers supporting the wholesale/independent sector have joined the FWD PR Action Group (PRAG).

This group drives the My shop Is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign and is now finalising the 2006 list of activities for National Independents' Day (NID) on June ...

16 February 2006 --The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has given a ringing endorsement to the All-Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group report "High Street Britain 2015" for which it provided both written and oral evidence.

"We welcome this timely wake up call to the ...

Booker is rejoining FWD from March 1, the two organisations announced today. The UK's largest cash and carry chain said it was pleased by the development that sees its chief executive, Charles Wilson, become a member of the Council of FWD.

"Booker was the prime mover behind FWD's ...

Ten thousand independent retailers will be asked to take part in Britain's biggest ever trading and lifestyle survey.

The objective is to measure the level of inter-dependence between non-multiple sole traders and family businesses and their local communities.

The move ...

Plans for the 2006 campaign for the FWD My Shop Is Your Shop national generic consumer pr campaign were being drawn together as Pro Wholesaler went to press.

A meeting of the FWD PR Action group (PRAG) was due to be held at Stratford-upon-Avon to agree the outline plan for the ...

Cash and carry wholesalers selling beers, wines and spirits at extremely low prices will be asked to show HM Revenue and Customs their receipts to reveal their source of supply and can expect officers to challenge whether or not excise duty has been paid on the goods.

The wholesale industry Blueprint for Spirits and Fortified Wines scheme plans to revolutionise the spirits market in the independent retail sector by promoting anti-theft security caps and open shelf self -select display.

In a marketing exercise code named PLOD - Putting Leaders ...

Manufacturers with field representatives calling on independent retailers are being invited to help stores which are signed into the MY SHOP YOUR SHOP campaign.

There are so far 500 independents committed to spreading the MSYS word in their communities. They are the FWD ...

SUPPLIERS URGED TO HELP COMMUNITY STARS

Manufacturers with field representatives calling on independent retailers are being asked to help stores which are signed into the MY SHOP YOUR SHOP campaign.

There are so far 500 independents committed to spreading the MSYS ...

In what has become a war of attrition for the convenience grocery market, this deal simply compounds the huge error made by the OFT when it nodded through Tesco's acquisition of some 1,200 T & S Stores in 2002.

That was followed by the Tesco purchase of 45 Adminstore outlets ...

Independent retailers are urging more cash and carry and delivered wholesalers to become involved in the My Shop Is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign.

They say some - not all - wholesalers are missing a commercial trading opportunity - and big brands could do more.

Interim ...

FWD has applauded a Treasury ruling it believes will avoid chaos in the spirits market around Christmas 2006 that it had been warning about for more than a year.

From October 1 2006 all spirits above 30 percent abv in bottles 35 cl and above crossing the duty line into the UK ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors says the Office of Fair Trading has failed to act decisively to bring back much needed balance to a dangerously skewed UK grocery market.

"The OFT has dismissed the wider competition issues out of hand and simply completed the whitewash ...

Londis retailer Alan Fincham, High Street, Attleborough, Norfolk, has been awarded the top £1,000 prize for his National Independents' Day (NID) in-store theatre activity.

And John Maxwell Jones, Burgess Stores, Goudhurst, Kent, will also receive an unscheduled £1,000 special ...

Members of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors were euphoric at the massive media coverage achieved for National Independents' Day (NID ) on June lst.

Boosted by the May 27 money off coupon promotion on leading brands in the Daily Record (Scotland ) and the Daily ...

MSYS retailers to lobby Prime Minister

Following the massive media overage of National Independents' Day, organised by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, the My Shop Is Your Shop campaign is recruiting a team of independent retailers to deliver new research to the ...

OFT asked to compare prices

The Office of Fair Trading wants wholesalers to delay a move to compare wholesalers' cost prices with those obtained by the big four - until and if there is a market review.

But the Federation of Wholesale Distributors is protesting ...

Wholesaler members of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors and MSYS professionals were at the printing plant of the Daily Mirror on Thursday (May 26) to toast a special historic issue.

They saw the National Independents' Day (NID) money - off coupon edition rolling off the ...

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors is urging smaller retailers and caterers to contact their wholesalers if they are in the slightest doubt that they may hold products affected by Para Red contamination.

The move comes after the Food Standards Agency added another 19 ...

A special support helpline for wholesalers has been set up ahead of National Independents' Day (NID) on June 1st.

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors, organisers of the umbrella My Shop Is Your Shop Campaign (MSYS) is also providing special depot display material.

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has never been in safer hands and its Council is the strongest ever.

This tribute to the ruling body of FWD was paid by Alan Toft, director general, in his farewell comments at the annual industry conference before he retires on April ...

Alan Toft, director general of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, described the new figures for Tesco's market share as a scandal.

"The new figures describe an Orwellian nightmare of massive proportions.

"A moratorium is the only way to halt this mega-power.

Alan Toft, director general of FWD, said: "The Office of Fair Trading has missed a golden once in a lifetime opportunity to impose a moratorium on all acquisition activity in the grocery market.

"A year long moratorium would give OFT an opportunity to consult widely before ...

A senior Office of Fair Trading official is to address wholesalers on current competition issues - at the moment when new curbs on superstores are expected by the industry.

Bob Gaddes, Deputy Director, Mergers Branch, will explain the role of the PFT at the annual conference ...