Scotland’s wholesalers and their teams were recognised at the Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards in Edinburgh last night (19 February).
United Wholesale (Scotland) enjoyed a standout night, winning Best Innovation, Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off‑Trade, Best Marketing Initiative for its ‘Spin to Win’ retail initiative, and Best Cash & Carry. The wholesaler was runner‑up in Best Delivered Operation – Retail and highly commended for its Day‑Today fascia in Best Symbol Group and in Sustainable Wholesaler of the Year.
Adding to this success in the People Awards categories, Employee of the Year was awarded to former Rising Star winner Jason Butler, now Head of Operations at UWS. This year’s Rising Star was Jordan McLay, Operations and Finance Analyst at the wholesaler.
CJ Lang & Son won Best Delivered Operation – Retail and was highly commended in Best Innovation. SPAR Scotland was runner‑up in Best Symbol Group and long‑time CJ Lang employee Wendy Blain was joint winner in the Wholesale Driver of the Year category.
Booker won Sustainable Wholesaler of the Year, and its Premier fascia took Best Symbol Group. Booker was runner‑up in Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off‑Trade, runner‑up in Best Cash & Carry for Booker Glasgow, highly commended in Best Cash & Carry for Booker Dunfermline, and joint highly commended in Great Place to Work.
Supplier recognition included AG Barr winning Best Overall Service and Rowan Glen taking Best Foodservice Supplier, with AG Barr also runner‑up in that category. Tayto won the Project Wholesale category for boosting Golden Wonder sales with its ‘Igniting Scotland’ project. Best Advertising Campaign went to AG Barr’s Irn‑Bru – ‘This Is Not A Soft Drink’.
More than 500 guests attended the gala dinner and presentation hosted by sports broadcaster Eilidh Barbour at the Corn Exchange. Now in its 23rd year and organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association, Achievers highlights excellence across retail, foodservice, licensed, technology, sustainability and marketing, with an additional focus on workplace culture.
