Business Awards 2019

10 MEA MARKETS / 2019MEA Business Awards , better serve local communities. Throughout the firm’s history over nearly two decades, it has always focused on building up the independent retail and wholesale sector. UMS’ history is one of collaboration, unity and partnerships to help make the independent retail and wholesale sector in Southern Africa the best it possibly can be. A sector as varied as those who work in it, the independent wholesale and retail landscape in South Africa is made up of a diverse range of trading formats. Throughout the Southern half of the continent, this can include franchise stores, banner stores, independent major stores, independent buying groups and voluntary trading associations such as UMS with both centralised and direct accounts. Rather than simply push the boundaries of what could be achieved with the existing model, the team at UMS went further. They redefined the model and how the infrastructure worked, showing that independents were far more than what suppliers thought about them. Offering them a chance to Unitrade Management Services Best FMCG Retail Trading Company - Southern Africa What began in 2001 as a new trader of fast-moving consumer goods has evolved over 19 years to become one of Africa’s most exemplary companies. Founded by current CEO Jad Pereira, the aimof Unitrade Management Services has always been to unite independent retail and wholesale entrepreneurs, whilst enabling each to retain their own unique branding and identity. We profiled this forward-thinking business to find out more about the company and how it achieves its goals. Independent wholesalers and retailers that currently operate in South Africa have an estimated 25 per cent market share in the country. For decades, these family-owned businesses have been serving their local communities. Since 2001, UMS has been providing a much-needed infrastructure for its members, enabling them to compete on equal terms with the more formal retail shops operating across Southern Africa. This infrastructure assists the stores to raise the bar on service, range, pricing and provide an overall quality shopping experience. Now, nearly 19 years later, the firm has over 450 member stores in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho. UMS is best described as a voluntary trading group, organised to offer independent store owners in retail and wholesale a comprehensive range of added value products and services. Together, UMS and the more-than-450 member stores work towards the goal of building better businesses, to Dec19162 compete against the largest conglomerates and corporates, independents are empowered by UMS to deliver excellent customer experiences, service and loyalty, whilst making a difference in local communities. The way it works is this: UMS offers its members a number of brand options, depending on the store format. From wholesale cash-and-carry stores under the Powertrade banner, large-scale distribution hubs with truck deliveries that trade under Price Rite, to hardware and building supply retail stores that are part of Power Build, there is a brand for each and every single member. UMS’ infrastructure offers its members - these family- owned businesses - a wealth of expertise and assistance for them to tap into, helping them compete alongside the massive corporates whilst retaining their unique sense of identity within a community. As a firm that has been continually committed to strong partnerships, UMS is also the exclusive partner of the Independent Grocers’ Alliance (IGA) for Africa. In a prestigious ceremony in February Unitrade’s private label brand, UNITY, offers customers an affordable, quality range.