Membership

The Federation has two categories of membership – these are full wholesale membership and associate membership.

Full membership includes:

Wholesale Cash & Carry

Large depots operating a trade only policy allowing access to bona fide traders (and excluding members of the general public), supplying a wide range of food, drink, alcohol, tobacco, non-foods and related items, some of whom also provide a delivery service.

Delivered Trade Wholesale Distributors

Including wholesalers delivering a wide range of products directly to both retail and catering establishments, often to franchised or independently owned businesses and small independent chains associated to symbol group retailing.

Specialist and Foodservice Wholesalers

Wholesalers specialising in servicing retailers and/or caterers in one or more of the many specialist food and drink categories, such as confectionery, chilled & frozen foods, alcohol, etc., and foodservice wholesalers who provide a one stop shop covering ambient, chilled, frozen and fresh meat and vegetables, for caterers in both cost and for profit sectors.

Associate membership includes:

Manufacturers, distributors, and agents of food & drink and related products purchased by wholesalers for onward sale to their customers, and including companies providing I.T. solutions, equipment, transport and other services to the wholesale industry.

Associate members are not eligible for membership of the Council of Members, nor any other governing body the FWD may set up.

FWD promotes the value of the wholesaler to manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and caterers in a number of ways. Conferences are organised regularly covering broad industry matters and specific sector markets.