Established, Profitable, Well Located, Wholesaler & Distributor of South Asian Food Products

Business highlights include:

Amounts taken from 2025 accounts

Turnover of c. £3,775,000 per annum

Net Assets c. 763,000

Gross profit c. £308,000

Adjusted EBITDA c. £159,000 before Vendor’s drawings

Very well-established business

Fully equipped and modern facilities

More than 200 active customer accounts 

Well equipped, proven machine assets

Knowledgeable, experienced and motivated staff

Summary

The business is a long‑established wholesale distributor of South Asian and ethnic food products. The business has traded continuously since 1984 and operates under its own established brand, supplying approximately 200 active customer accounts — independent grocery shops, restaurants and catering businesses — across the region and beyond.

The Company sells a focused range of dry‑goods staples — nuts, spices, grains, edible oils and flours — from a 6,500 sq ft leasehold warehouse and distribution facility located in the East Midlands. The current premises lease has approximately 4.5 years remaining at a passing rent of £35,000 p.a.

Turnover in the financial year to 31 January 2025 was circa £3,775,000 (FY24: £3,429,000), an increase of 10.1%. Gross margin improved from 7.0% to 8.2%, and operating profit rose 153%. After standard recasting adjustments including a non-recurring Bad Debt, Owner Earnings/SDE for FY25 was circa £159,000.

Net assets at 31 January 2025 stood at circa 763,000, including circa £400,000 of marketable trading stock and £828,000 of trade and other debtors, reflecting an established working‑capital base that constitutes a substantial part of the value being transferred.

The reason for sale is the owner’s retirement. The sole director, born in 1961, has been with the business since 1999 and is prepared to remain through an extended handover.

The Company is offered for sale as a whole, on a debt‑free / cash‑free basis with normalised working capital. Offers are invited from qualified acquirers.

Business description

The trading operation that today comprises the Company was established in 1984 by the founding family, who developed direct supply relationships with regional growers and importers across South Asia. The trade was incorporated into a limited company in 1999, at which point the present sole director assumed operational control.

Over four decades of continuous trading, the Company has built a recognisable brand in the regional ethnic‑grocery sector, with customer relationships in some cases spanning more than two decades.

Principal activity

The Company’s principal activity is the wholesale and distribution of South Asian and ethnic food products. It acts as an intermediary between major importers/processors and the independent grocery, restaurant and catering trade, performing breaking‑bulk, brand‑packing, storage and last‑mile delivery.

Group structure and ownership

The Company is a private limited company and the sole trading entity. There are no subsidiaries, no group structure and no intercompany arrangements.

The ultimate controlling parties are the director and spouse as shareholders. There are no other shareholdings, options, warrants or convertible instruments in issue.

Products and brand

Product range

The Company sources, packs, warehouses and delivers a focused range of dry‑goods staples, including:

• Nuts
• Spices
• Grains and pulses
• Edible oils
• Flours

Products are supplied in both the Company’s own brand and, where appropriate, in supplier‑branded packs sourced from established UK importers.

The brand

The Company’s own brand is the principal differentiator and a significant intangible asset. The brand has been built over four decades of consistent supply to the independent ethnic‑grocery sector and is recognised by customer accounts as synonymous with the Company.

All brand assets, trademarks, livery, packaging artwork and goodwill transfer with the sale.

Packing operation

The Company operates a dedicated packing area at its site, where bulk‑imported product is broken down and packed into branded retail and trade units. This in‑house packing capability is a key element of operational know‑how.

Customers and markets

Customer base

The Company serves approximately 200 active customer accounts across:

• Independent grocery and ethnic‑food shops
• Restaurants
• Catering businesses

No single customer is understood to represent more than 10% of turnover.

Market context

The Company operates in the UK ethnic‑grocery wholesale segment, supported by a stable and demographically growing South Asian community and increasing mainstream interest in South Asian cuisine.

Routes to market

The Company sells direct via its own sales relationships and delivery fleet. There is no reliance on third‑party marketplaces or brokers.

Supplier relationships

The Company sources its core categories from established UK importers and brand owners with whom it has long‑standing supply relationships.

Account terms, credit lines and pricing arrangements are stable and can be confirmed during due diligence.

There are no exclusive distribution agreements.

Premises and operations

Premises

The Company operates from a single site:

• Modern & attractive Business Park
• Size: approx. 6,500 sq ft
• Tenure: leasehold, approx. 4.5 years remaining
• Rent: £35,000 p.a.
• Business rates: approx. £12,849

The premises comprise warehouse, packing area, despatch and small office accommodation.

Plant, equipment and vehicles

At 31 January 2025, the tangible fixed‑asset register held a net book value of circa £24,000 comprising plant, machinery and motor vehicles.

IT and systems

The Company runs standard accounting and order‑processing systems supported by an external accountancy practice.

People

Director and shareholders

The Company has a sole director and two shareholders (director and spouse).

Employees

The Company employs 12 people across delivery, packing, administration and warehouse roles.

Transition and handover

The seller is willing to provide a full handover, including introductions to key customers and suppliers, operational training and a period of consultancy availability.

Key Strengths:

The business has many strengths including:

·       Optimised operations

·       Loyal customer base

·       Regionally known brand

·       Reliable specialist machine plant

·       Significant investment in infrastructure

·       Highly trusted & reliable workforce

·       Price management

·       Location

Growth and Expansion:

The business has enjoyed steady trade over many years and this is expected to continue, a result of its commitment to sustainable pricing, optimisation and a growing & loyal customer base. The business’ operations has room for expansion of capacity if need be and this could easily be achieved if a new owner wished.

The business does very little advertising and could certainly expand this activity with a more proactive approach.  The current level of personnel could also be added to meet demand, the business is ready & prepared to take maximum advantage of this growth as it occurs as it has the necessary infrastructure in place.

Business Hours:

Monday – Friday:                      08:30-18:00

Saturday and Sunday:                Closed

Financial Information:

The business is being offered for sale on a going concern basis, all financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.

From the 2025 year end accounts:

Turnover of c. £3,775,000 per annum

Net Assets c. 763,000

Gross profit c. £308,000

Adjusted EBITDA c. £159,000 before drawings

The business generates reliable and sustainable profits. The vendor has invested in the infrastructure of the business over the years and it has a highly impressive level of plant and equipment that is included within the sale price.

Reason for Sale:

This is a genuine retirement sale.

Support and Training:

The current owner would be happy to provide full training and support at handover.

Asking Price:

The Asking Price of £1,300,000 including net assets is for 100% of the issued capital of the company, assuming Net Assets of circa £763,000 on completion (calculated on a zero cash-zero debt basis). The final selling price will have a £1 for £1 adjustment for any rise or fall in this benchmark Net Asset figure at completion.

Edwards Business Sales Disclosure Statement

Purpose and basis of preparation

This document has been prepared by Edwards Business Sales Ltd (“Edwards”), acting as the appointed business broker for the owner (the “Owner”) of the privately owned business described herein (the “Business”), for the purpose of promoting, marketing and facilitating the potential sale of the Business. It is provided to prospective purchasers (“you”) solely to assist in an initial evaluation of the Business.

Source of information

All information, data and representations contained in this document have been supplied by the Owner. Edwards has relied exclusively on that information and has not audited, verified or independently validated its accuracy or completeness. Edwards gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any such information.

No warranty or advice

All financial statements, forecasts, valuations, performance indicators and descriptive content contained in this document are provided strictly for general guidance and illustrative purposes only. They do not constitute, and must not be relied upon as, a warranty, representation, guarantee or assurance as to past, present or future performance, nor as financial, legal, tax, accounting or investment advice. Any forecasts or projections reflect assumptions that may prove incorrect, and actual results may differ materially.

No reliance and no duty of care

Neither Edwards nor the Owner owes you any duty of care in relation to this document or its contents. You must not rely on this document and should instead rely solely on your own investigations, enquiries and professional advice. You are strongly advised to carry out your own independent due diligence, to seek appropriate professional advice, and to satisfy yourself as to the accuracy and completeness of all information before entering into any form of agreement or commitment.

Not an offer

This document is not, and shall not be construed as, an offer or an invitation to treat, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract. No contract for the sale of the Business shall come into existence unless and until a formal written agreement has been negotiated and executed by the Owner and the purchaser. The terms of any such executed agreement shall prevail over and supersede the contents of this document. The Owner reserves the right, at its absolute discretion and without notice, to amend or withdraw any information, to terminate discussions with any party, or to withdraw the Business from sale at any time.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Edwards nor the Owner (nor their respective directors, officers, employees or agents) accepts any liability for any loss, cost, damage or expense, whether direct, indirect or consequential, arising from the use of or reliance on this document or any information it contains, or from any decision made in connection with it.

Nothing in this document shall exclude or limit any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including (without limitation) liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for death or personal injury caused by negligence. Your statutory rights are not affected.

Confidentiality

This document is confidential and is supplied solely for the purpose of evaluating a potential acquisition of the Business. By accepting it, you agree to keep it and its contents confidential, to use them only for that purpose, and not to reproduce, distribute or disclose them, in whole or in part, to any third party without the prior written consent of the Owner — save to your professional advisers strictly on a need-to-know basis and on equivalent terms of confidentiality. On request, you will promptly return or destroy this document and all copies of it.

Governing law and jurisdiction

This document, and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales. The parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Edwards Business Sales Limited registered in England and Wales under company no. 1726182