Booker is leading the field for customer satisfaction among independent retailers and caterers, according to this year’s HIM Wholesale Awards.

HIM Wholesale winners Booker

Pictured (left to right): Booker Wholesale group operations director Andrew Muldoon, HR director Rebecca Mallows, and ceo Charles Wilson

The awards are decided using HIM’s annual Wholesale Tracking Programme, which consists of over 2,000 face-to-face interviews with retailers and foodservice operators at cash and carry depots, and over 2,400 telephone interviews conducted with delivered wholesale users.

Booker emerged as the Best National Wholesaler for overall customer satisfaction, Customers’ Favourite Delivered Wholesaler and Customers’ Favourite Wholesaler for exceptional staff and service.

West Midlands-based East End Foods picked up two awards – for Customers’ Favourite Cash & Carry Wholesaler and for Best Regional Wholesaler for overall customer satisfaction – while Dhamecha was named Customers’ Favourite Wholesaler for range, promotions and advice.

Jill Livesey, managing director at HIM & MCA Insight, said: “These awards truly recognise the very best delivered and cash and carry wholesalers in the UK, as voted for by those that matter most – retailers. All of our winners have excelled across a range of different categories, with Booker taking the main award for Best National Wholesaler for overall customer satisfaction.”

Charles Wilson, ceo at Booker Wholesale, commented: “It is a privilege to serve our retailers and caterers. For them to vote us the best wholesaler in three awards is a huge honour. Many thanks to our customers for their business and their votes. Thanks also to our colleagues for achieving these market beating standards.”

On receiving his awards, Jason Wouhra, director at East End Foods commented: “Winning these awards is great validation of the things we have been striving for over the years. We are thrilled that our customers recognise the hard work that we have put in. Customer service is a key component of the values that underpin the East End Foods brand and these awards are a true reflection of that.”

Mukesh Vithlani, trading director at Dhamecha, added: “This award is a strong recognition from our customers on all the hard work out trading team does during the year offering best prices and to our depot teams by offering best service all year round.”

Video presentations with the award winners can be viewed here.