The Bestway Group has posted a 5.7% increase in turnover for its wholesale arm for the year to June 30, 2012.

Turnover reached £2.3bn for the year, compared to £2.2bn for the previous 12 months.

But profit before tax for the same period was £58.2m compared to £60.2m in the previous year. This decrease was attributed to the integration costs of the Bellevue and Martex businesses that were acquired in the prior year, as well as the set up costs of the new depots in Brighton and Team Valley.

The group’s own label sales also increased by 14.1% to £103m, bolstered by the launch of the ‘Best-in’ Essential range which includes 34 lines that offer margins of 30% POR to retailers.

Group chief executive Zameer Choudrey said: “The group has maintained its market share in its respective markets despite a challenging business environment in UK and globally. The expansions that were undertaken in the wholesale business in the UK continue to do well. Bestway is now the UK’s largest trade only wholesaler.” 

During the year Bestway also launched a transactional website in order to provide a platform for customers to order online and access up-to-date promotional activities. The group’s web sales currently average £2.5m per week.

The group’s Best-One symbol group also celebrated its 10-year anniversary during the year with membership numbers reaching 950. Its Xtra Local and Best-In retail club membership reached 2,500 while its pet retail club membership numbers hit 527.