Buying power for supermarkets
Group buying power on the non-food aisles, where an independent supermarket can differentiate from the majors and hold margin, alongside your existing grocery supply.
Compete on price, keep your independence.
Independent supermarkets compete with the majors on the grocery basket every week, on terms set by scale. The general merchandise aisles are different: small appliances, homewares and cleaning, phone accessories, seasonal outdoor and toys are where a local store can range differently, price with confidence and lift the basket.
IBG gives independent supermarkets access to more than 1000 approved brands across those non-food categories on group-negotiated terms, with central billing across most suppliers. IBG is not a grocery wholesaler; it sits alongside your grocery supply and covers the aisles it does not.
What independent supermarkets are up against
The pressures this category puts on a store buying and operating on its own.
Grocery margin is set by scale you do not have
On the packaged grocery basket the majors buy at volumes no independent can match. Competing on the same lines at the same price is a race a local store cannot win on its own.
General merchandise is where the margin lives
Small appliances, homewares, cleaning, accessories, seasonal and toys carry stronger margin than grocery and are far less price-transparent, but only if they are bought well rather than through a scattering of direct accounts.
Seasonal ranges have to land on time
Christmas, back to school, summer outdoor and winter warmers all need to be bought and on shelf before the peak. A store buying direct from many small suppliers struggles to get everything ranged in time.
Non-food is nobody's full-time job
In most independent supermarkets the general merchandise buy is handled by an owner or manager on top of grocery, fresh and the day-to-day, so it gets the least attention despite carrying the best margin.
How IBG works for independent supermarkets
The same pressures, answered through group buying power and hands-on support.
Group pricing on the non-food aisles
Buy small appliances, homewares and cleaning, tech accessories, seasonal outdoor and toys on group terms built on the combined volume of 350+ independent stores, with supplier rebates where the program offers them, so general merchandise earns what it should.
One account for all of it
Central billing across most suppliers means the whole non-food range comes through one IBG trade account, one statement and one payment, ordered through the member B2B portal, alongside your grocery supply rather than on top of it.
Seasonal programs, ranged in time
Category support and seasonal buying programs across homewares, outdoor, appliances and toys help you range and promote before each peak, and marketing support helps you tell customers about it.
Range your way, not the majors' way
There are no forced ranges and no planogram you have to follow. Range differently from the chains down the road, stock what your community asks for, and get advice from people who have run independent stores.
How membership works
Four steps, and no obligation to change how you run your store.
Apply for membership
We take the time to understand your store, your categories and your local market, and confirm IBG is the right fit before anything else.
Get approved
Once approved, you unlock group-negotiated pricing, supplier rebates where available, the member B2B portal and the full IBG support team.
Order through the B2B portal
Buy across the network through a single account, with central billing across most suppliers, so you spend less time on admin and more on the floor.
Ongoing support
The IBG team helps you put group pricing, marketing, IT and category support to work for independent supermarkets over time. There are no mandates and no forced ranges.
Brands independent supermarkets can buy on group terms
A selection of names you can access on group terms. Members always choose what they stock.
Support built for independent supermarkets
Membership is more than buying power. The IBG team helps you run and grow the business.
Questions from independent supermarkets
Straight answers to what independents ask before they join.
No. IBG covers non-food general merchandise: small appliances, homewares and cleaning, phone accessories and everyday tech, seasonal outdoor and toys. Your grocery, fresh and packaged food supply arrangements are unaffected and sit alongside IBG membership.
Small kitchen and home appliances, homewares, cleaning products, mobile accessories and chargers, audio and everyday tech, outdoor and camping, and toys and games, across more than 1000 approved brands.
Yes. Seasonal buying programs and category support across homewares, outdoor, appliances and toys help you range ahead of Christmas, back to school and the summer and winter peaks, with marketing support to promote them.
No. IBG has no forced ranges and no mandatory planograms. You choose the non-food lines that suit your store and your customers, and the category team is there to help, not to dictate.
Related retailers
IBG supports independents across categories and store formats. See how it works for stores like yours.
For petrol and convenience stores
Group buying power on the in-store categories that make the margin at an independent servo or convenience store, with quick reorders through one account.
For homewares retailers
Group pricing across kitchen, dining, home living and seasonal ranges, for independent homeware and gift stores.
For appliance retailers
Group buying power across whitegoods, cooking, laundry and floorcare, so independent appliance stores can compete with the chains on the brands customers ask for.
Everyday Home Living
Members can also list small appliances and homewares on Everyday Home Living, the group's ready-made online store for home, kitchen and technology.
Win the aisles the majors cannot, with group buying behind it.
Apply for membership and the IBG team will walk you through pricing, suppliers and support for independent supermarkets. No obligation, no forced ranges.