In Westminster
FWD scans the horizon for legislation that affects wholesale, and co-ordinates members' response
Representing wholesale
Coming our way

As the representative of wholesale distribution in Whitehall and Westminster, FWD anticipates the impact of policy and legislation and helps members and their customers prepare for changes to the law. We work with Ministers, MPs and officials to demonstrate how their decisions affect businesses in our sector, and point out where proposed changes would disproportionately disadvantage wholesalers.

what you need to know
The FWD briefing
Sustainability
Food production, storage and distribution have an unavoidable impact on the environment. FWD members seek to minimise this through initiatives that increase the efficiency of the supply chain, from the producer to the consumer. We are helping them prepare for Net Zero status by 2040.
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Preventing crime
Crime against wholesalers is a continuing concern for members. We help them defend their stock and their customers from theft and robbery though awareness raising and intelligence sharing.
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Workforce
FWD makes the case to the government and regulators for necessary, effective and proportionate policy to protect the jobs of our members' 68,000 employees
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Transport and distribution
FWD members collectively operate over 7,000 delivery vehicles which make over 200,000 deliveries every week to small businesses in every postcode of the UK. Access, parking and fit-for-purpose infrastructure are key to successful and efficient distribution.
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Food and Drink
As tackling obesity and ill-health linked to food becomes an increasing priority for Government, wholesalers need to be aware of the legislation under consideration. This includes action on allergens, and high salt, fat and sugar products.
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EU Exit
Brexit continues to throw up challenges for wholesalers, with imports, exports, commodities and labour all still to be resolved.
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Alcohol and Tobacco
FWD members help to ensure that age-restricted goods are sold legally through responsible retailers. Tobacco Track and Trace requirements continue to set challenges for the sector.
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Cyber Security
Like all businesses, wholesalers are vulnerable to attacks on their online order and payment systems.
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Tax and duty fraud
The illegal trade in alcohol and tobacco represents the biggest threat to the profitability of wholesalers in the food and drink sector. Duty-avoided beers, wine and spirits cost the Exchequer £1.3bn in lost revenue in 2020/21 and have taken away trade from legitimate wholesalers to criminal gangs.
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Business Regulation
Business rates, National Living Wage, data protection, money laundering and other policies that wholesalers need to know about
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FWD’s political and policy work is supported by our public affairs consultancy, DGA

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