This year marks a golden milestone for independent wholesaler, Bestway, as it celebrates 50 years of supporting independent retailers across Scotland and the UK.
2025 marks a very special year for Bestway as the independent wholesaler celebrates its 50th anniversary – and the special role it has established at the heart of the Scottish local retailing sector during those five decades.
From humble beginnings in 1975 when Bestway founder Sir Anwar Pervez opened the very first depot in West London to an almost £3bn turnover in 2025, Bestway now has an impressive symbol, franchise, and company store retail estate of around 4,000 stores.
Scottish focus
Following significant expansion across England through the 1980s and 1990s, Bestway turned its attention north to Scotland in 2010 with the acquisition of Bellevue Cash and Carry, bringing two depots – Edinburgh and Stirling – under its wing.
Bestway invested heavily in infrastructure expansion at the same time, opening Batleys depots in Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, and Edinburgh.
Later that year it expanded further by buying the Glasgow-based Martex Group from CJ Lang which added a further three depots and a foodservice operation, further broadening its Scottish footprint. These early acquisitions established a strong base in central and eastern Scotland, including the Edinburgh Bellevue depot at McDonald Place serving local retailers and caterers.
Symbol success
Also in 2010, Bestway’s convenience store symbol group best-one was officially moved into Scotland in a big way when the company held its launch roadshow at Airth Castle in Falkirk and signed up its first Scottish best-one retailers in regions including Edinburgh and Fife.
In 2014, Bestway acquired Glasgow-based wholesaler Sher Brothers and merged it into its Batleys brand, streamlining operations and tapping deeper into the West of Scotland market. Bestway’s broader consolidation continued with national acquisitions: Conviviality Group in 2018, Costcutter in 2020, and Adams Foodservice in 2024.
Today there is a network of 70 depots across the UK including many in Scotland: Edinburgh, Glasgow Sher, Aberdeen, Dundee and Cambuslang.
Growth strategy
From the first Scottish depots in 2010 to today’s fully integrated Bestway network, Bestway’s journey in Scotland reflects a targeted and aggressive growth strategy. Through depots, symbol retail brands and innovative hybrid formats, Bestway has woven itself into the backbone of Scotland’s independent retail and catering sectors.
Bestway’s long-term focus on consolidation, rebranding, and technological adaptation has cemented a position not just as a supplier, but as a growth partner for Scottish communities.
Partnership model
As Bestway marks 50 years of empowering independent retailers, it also celebrates the key supplier partnerships that have played an integral role in the company’s journey of growth and success.
Key supplier brands such as AG Barr and Tennent’s Lager – to name just a couple – have been valued partners throughout Bestway’s evolution into one of the UK’s leading wholesale and retail businesses. These long-standing relationships are more than commercial – they are built on shared ambition, trust, and a commitment to supporting the independent sector.
These relationships often deliver unique and exclusive benefits for Bestway independent retailing customers. Long-standing partner AG Barr, for example, is unveiling two brand-new limited-edition flavours of Irn-Bru Xtra: Nessie Nectar and Unicorn Tears.
Inspired by Scottish folklore, these playful ‘mystery’ variants are now available exclusively in Bestway depots, giving Bestway customers the opportunity to tap into the unique power of the iconic Irn-Bru brand.
AG Barr is also launching an exciting in-depot incentive for retailers later this month. With a prize pot of £10,000, the campaign offers generous rewards and adds an extra splash of excitement to the anniversary festivities.
Retailers are encouraged to visit their local Bestway depot to stock up and take part in the promotion.
