Cash and carry

Outside of a "Cash and carry" establishment in Krakow, Poland

The Cash and carry (“Buy(lo) and take(lo)”, from the English cash, cash/cash, and carry: take away) is considered a commercial formula similar to a commissary, evolved from traditional wholesale sales, with the particularity of being addressed solely and exclusively to professionals (independent retailers and hoteliers) and operating on a free-service basis. The retailer travels to the wholesaler's premises, chooses the items he needs, pays for them and transports them, as opposed to the conventional procedure of placing the order with the wholesaler, so that the latter transports it and serves it at the retailer's establishment.

Features

The concept of wholesale was introduced to Germany over 50 years ago by Professor Otto Beisheim: in 1964 he opened the first “Cash and Carry” in the city of Mülheim (Ruhr).

The concept of "Cash and Carry, wholesale self-service", is a commercial formula adapted to the needs of certain retailers, restaurants, cafeterias, hotels and other service providers, such as some institutions (HoReCa Sector, Hotels-Restaurants-Catering). It is basically designed for professionals in the HoReCa sector, but it also accepts clients that are large consumers, such as institutions or educational centers.

In summary:

• The wholesaler never sells to a final consumer. To access a "Cash and carry" establishment, you must have a card or identification that credits the status of a retailer.
• He's got one. trade policy based on price and continuous offers.
• He knows his clientstheir consumption and needs.

Present and future

The free-service Buy and take away format is in the midst of a transformation process with the ultimate goal of becoming the point of sale of reference for the comprehensive supply of establishments of hospitality. Based on the sale of beverages (60%), dry food (33%) and non-food products (7%), the range of products offered is currently opening up to become global suppliers for these retailers.

The objective of many operators is now to offer around 8,000 references including fresh products, bazaar, household appliances and drugstore-perfumery items. Makro is the clear example of traditional cash and carry

Situation in Spain

This formula received important support in Spain in 1996 with the approval of the Trade Law that prohibited selling at a loss, -or at a lower price in the country that imports it than the one used in the sale to the public in the country that exports it (or dumping)- in retail trade. Until then, many professionals in the hospitality sector had stocked up on hypermarkets, taking advantage of the sale of products below their cost. Since then, many have migrated to other types of providers such as Cash and carry or home shopping.

In Spain there are more "Cash and carry" than in the rest of Europe. The main chain in this distribution sector is Makro, which introduced the concept in Spain in September 1972 when it opened the first store of these characteristics in Barajas (outskirts of Madrid). On January 1, 1998, the Metro Group acquired all the establishments of SHV Makro N.V. in Europe and Makro Spain became part of the German group Metro AG, joining the Cash and Carry division of said Group. Today Metro Cash & Carry operates 606 wholesale stores in 29 countries and is the number one self-service wholesaler in the world. The headquarters and the board of directors are located in Düsseldorf (Germany).

The group Comercial Andalucía, Serodys, Cash Diplo, Cash Alhambra, Miquel Alimentació, Cash Basauri and Supercash also operate in Spain.