As part of Bestway’s 50th anniversary celebrations, it is celebrating long-standing supplier partnerships like the one it enjoys with 150-year-old AG Barr.
As Bestway marks its 50th anniversary, celebrations wouldn’t be complete without recognising the role of long-standing supplier partners, and relationships that deliver growth and uplift for all. Few partnerships are as enduring as the one with AG Barr. Founded in 1875, AG Barr is celebrating 150 years of creating some of the UK’s most iconic drinks brands, from Irn-Bru to Rubicon, Boost, Barr, and Tizer.
For five decades, these household names have been a staple of independent retail, supported by Bestway’s scale and reach. Barr’s Scottish heritage is firmly ingrained in popular culture, most memorably through the legendary ‘Made in Scotland from Girders’ campaign, voted Best Advertising Strapline of the Last 21 Years at the Scottish Advertising Awards.
This shared milestone year is marked by standout joint activity, not least AG Barr’s investment into Golden Week promotions, which delivered exceptional rewards for customers and suppliers alike, signposting that investment reaps results and rewards!
Golden rewards for retailers
As an example of how to capture peak summer demand, AG Barr invested in the 50th Anniversary campaign with a £20,000 prize draw for retailers stocking Irn-Bru. Every five cases purchased earned an automatic entry, with prizes ranging from £250 to £2,000. Among the winners was The Wee Bake Shop in Dundee, which scooped £1,000.
Golden results for sales
Bestway’s Golden Weeks, run with AG Barr, have generated spectacular results. Latest figures show promotional SKUs surged by +185% against the weekly average, fuelling +104% SKU volume growth and +90% value growth across the Barr portfolio. The mix of compelling deals, hot summer weather and soaring shopper demand led to a record-breaking week. Best products during the Golden Weeks were Rubicon Mango 1L and Irn-Bru.
The success of the Golden Weeks campaign reflects the power of collaboration between wholesaler and supplier. Not only did sales soar, but independent retailers saw stronger margins, proof that when partners work hand-in-hand, everyone benefits.
As Bestway celebrates its 50th year, and AG Barr proudly marks 150 years, they celebrate a shared legacy of trust, innovation, and support for independent retail. A legacy that will continue to flourish for generations and, by working with suppliers alongside a commitment to invest, has delivered solid growth results for all.
