Caterfood Buying Group (CFBG) announces the launch of a new wholesale shipments data platform developed with TWC Group, aiming to enhance supplier insights, foster collaboration, and accelerate growth in a competitive UK market.
Caterfood Buying Group (CFBG), a Bidcorp-owned consortium of independent wholesalers, has announced the imminent launch of a new wholesale shipments data service developed in partnership with data and digital consultancy TWC Group. Set to be introduced later this month, the service is designed to provide CFBG suppliers with comprehensive insights into group and member performance, customer purchasing behaviours, and category trends. This initiative aims to foster more informed decision-making and stronger collaboration throughout the group’s network.
According to CFBG’s Commercial Director, Tom Workman, the data service will enable suppliers to unlock areas of sales growth by leveraging members’ purchasing data. He emphasised that this integration of data sharing is critical to achieving the group’s ambitious growth targets in a highly competitive market. “Data is an essential tool for driving performance and unlocking opportunities,” Workman said, underscoring that the new service will furnish suppliers with the clarity and insight needed by both themselves and group members to grow their businesses.
The partnership with TWC Group aligns with a broader trend among UK wholesale buying groups turning to data-driven solutions to enhance performance and foster supplier collaboration. TWC Group’s Managing Director and founder, Tanya Pepin, highlighted that the firm now works with over 90 wholesalers across the UK. She expressed enthusiasm about supporting CFBG, noting the respect the group commands within the wholesale sector and pledging long-term support for their data strategy.
This new service follows a series of similar collaborations between TWC Group and other UK foodservice buying groups. For example, Fairway Foodservice recently announced a partnership with TWC to launch a wholesale data service aimed at improving sales and supply chain efficiency through the TWC SmartView platform. Similarly, Caterforce, another UK buying group, introduced ‘Price Hub’ in partnership with TWC—a pricing and promotions platform providing members with real-time data and advanced analytics for competitive pricing decisions. These initiatives often integrate with existing tools like Erudus to enhance product and price accuracy.
The adoption of TWC-powered data services also includes Confex, a UK wholesale buying group that launched Confex Data Insight in collaboration with TWC to provide detailed sales performance reporting and market analysis, thereby helping members and suppliers identify growth opportunities. The success of this partnership led Confex to extend its data alliance with TWC for an additional four years, highlighting the growing importance of data intelligence in wholesale operations.
Furthermore, TWC Group has worked with other wholesale groups such as Sugro, delivering insight platforms designed to future-proof business models by delivering actionable intelligence to members.
Collectively, these partnerships highlight a growing recognition within the UK wholesale buying sector that data-driven insights are key to navigating an increasingly competitive landscape. By enabling suppliers and wholesalers to leverage detailed analytics on performance, buying behaviour, and market trends, these services aim to strengthen collaboration, optimise supply chains, and drive sustainable growth.
CFBG’s new service is thus part of a wider movement towards greater transparency and value creation through data sharing in the wholesale channel. While the specific metrics and delivery platforms may vary, the strategic emphasis remains consistent: equipping suppliers and wholesaler members with the tools and insights necessary to make informed decisions and compete effectively in a dynamic market environment. As Workman noted, the initiative represents a significant strategic step for CFBG, highlighting how critical data is to their growth ambitions and supplier relationships.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Subscribe to Industry Updates
