This specially commissioned report by SWA shows that almost three-quarters of Scottish consumers agreed they are concerned about environmental and sustainability issues and unsurprisingly a similar proportion say they are more concerned now than they were three years ago.

Sustainability already influences where consumers shop for groceries – 38% of Scots agree with this statement and this is going to rise in importance as 50% of those asked said it will influence where they shop more in the future.

SWA training provider, Capita Learning has secured funding from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to run a fully funded BCS SCQF Level7 Digital Skills Training Course worth £3k per learner.

The course has been specifically designed to focus on Data Analysis, and data presentation, and is part SWA’s ‘Decarbonisation of The Wholesale Industry’ project plans in helping the wholesale industry on the road to net zero. The course, outlined within the attached document, will give the employee the capability to start and analyse your company’s data – including fleet emissions, route planning & efficiencies, building efficiencies etc.

The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) is working with the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) and Scotland Food & Drink to deliver the next phase of our 'Delivering Growth through Wholesale' programme. 

Designed to improve and encourage engagement between producers and wholesalers, the programme will continue in its' roll-out. Providing businesses with the tools and information to help them maximise opportunities within the wholesale industry and which is currently worth £1.7billion (GVA) to the Scottish economy.

Running in parallel to each other are the 'Wholesaler Workshops' and 'Producer Workshops', culminating in a 'Meet the Buyer' event on 9th March, with more details on this to be shared soon.

SWA are delighted to share the findings of the first phase of our ‘Decarbonisation of the Wholesale Sector’ project.

The  reports focus on our vehicles and fleets, calculating and reporting on our sector’s ‘Fleet Emissions Baseline’ and the production of a ‘Fleet Emissions Roadmap’ to Net Zero.

Phase two of our project will focus on our buildings and cold storage and phase three our people/employees and how they move around to/from/within their job.

This project is one of the most detailed undertaken by any sector and is based on real data and evidence, compiled direct from our wholesale members.

 

Food Standards Scotland has been working a range of stakeholders, including SWA, around the introduction of new PPDS legislation across the UK from Friday 1 October. Read about the role SWA have played in the PPDS process and how our supplier member, Erudus, can provide wholesalers and end-users with solutions to ensure they comply with the legislation

 

With judging of the Scottish Wholesale Association’s Achievers awards now under way and a record number of entries, the trade group has unveiled its independent judging panel for the initiative which highlights best practice and innovation within the industry and also shines a spotlight on the dedicated, passionate people who keep its wheels moving.

 

Trade group the Scottish Wholesale Association has joined forces with Arcola Energy to identify the business case for fuel cell technology in the UK’s transition to zero-emission road freight.

The Scottish Wholesale Association is moving into Phase 2 of its decarbonisation project designed to help members and the wider wholesale sector become greener and more sustainable.

Entries are now open for the Achievers Awards 2022, the long-established industry programme that rewards outstanding performance across the wholesale trade in Scotland.

Recent incidents of “unacceptable abuse” towards wholesale staff including delivery drivers, telesales and credit control teams have led the Scottish Wholesale Association to launch a #BeKindToWholesale campaign.