The more the merrier

There are a few obvious advantages to joining a buying group, increased purchasing power being the clearest among them. And make no mistake, in a market where pricing is likely to become even more volatile and where customers have become even more reticent, that advantage really cannot be overstated.

Beyond the obvious incentive though, each of the UK’s handful of buying groups also boasts its own unique supplemental offerings. From rebranding and unitary support to marketing, additional product categories and even member holidays, there are a multitude of ways retailers can benefit from joining a buying group. While these perks may be less significant securing better terms with suppliers, in the aggregate they can have a powerful impact on retailers’ ability to sell while maintaining strong margins.

If you do wish to join a buying group, there are several options in the UK, each with their own particular strengths and aims. (Perhaps the one universal commonality is that all buying groups take great pains to assure prospective members their independence won’t be interfered with.) In this feature, we’ve highlighted a few of these groups to help you decide which is right for your business.