The Trade Counter
Practical reading for independent retailers and online sellers. Margins, regulation, sourcing, and what is actually selling.
HFSS in 2026: what the rules now mean for independent retailers
HFSS advertising enforcement began in January 2026 and on-pack volume promotions end in October. What independent retailers need to do now.
Retailer storiesRetailer story: rebuilding margin across a three-store convenience group
How one Midlands convenience group consolidated suppliers, cut dead stock, and added meaningful margin in six months. A composite story from our trade accounts.
MarginsFive practical ways independents are protecting margin in 2026
Sector margins are around 4 per cent and falling. Five things independent retailers are actually doing about it, from consolidating suppliers to auditing dead stock.
Retailer storiesSeller story: from rejected applications to four approved categories
An online seller's route from repeated Amazon ungating rejections to approved listings and steady reorders, built on invoice-grade sourcing. A composite story.
Online sellingGetting ungated on Amazon UK: what your wholesale invoices need to show
Amazon approves category and brand applications on the strength of your supplier invoices. Here is exactly what reviewers look for, and why distributor choice decides the outcome.
SourcingGrey market stock: the questions to ask any wholesale supplier
Cheap stock with no traceable origin costs retailers accounts, listings and money. Six questions that separate authorised distribution from the grey market.
CategoriesWhat is selling in 2026: FMCG categories worth watching
Functional drinks, pet care, and reformulated snacking are pulling ahead while some traditional categories flatten. Where UK independents are finding growth this year.