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I think we must clarify certain misunderstandings that may have crept in these conversations in my opinion. First of all the comparisons of “One Stop” and other franchise operations like MacDonalds and otters is misplaced . The relationship that the retailers have in the Booker brands under the merged company or the Co-op is purely that of a supply chain agreement and not that of a franchisee / franchiser relationship. That may or may not happen . That’s purely hypothetical. As for now the arrangements are simply that of a supply chain agreement. Retailers are free agents and the fate of their businesses will depend on how they run their businesses by taking advantage of the best offer in town .

The idea of “ Dell boys” wheeling & dealing are over as I have explained before . Customer expectations are high and we can only offer that by having a high class chain and NOT one that was on offer by failing symbols or dated cash and carries unable to meet today’s market expectations .

In a few years the landscape in retailing will change even more as consolidation will follow . In my humble opinion we are living in age of mutually beneficial relationship with a supply chain . The so called independent retailers needs to understand and recognise that fact . I am not suggesting that all is going to wonderful


Arjan Mehr Londis Bracknell