We asked Hainsworth (left) how Gardman’s investors might react to the suggestion that Solus would be a good fit for Gardman. This was his reply:

“The issue is this: we have got to get our own house in order and our own strategy implemented first. Yes, the investors [GPG, Goldman Sachs and Barclays] have some very deep pockets. They have always said if we get the right strategy, get the right numbers, they are willing to invest with further acquisition opportunities. But it is still quite early days for us. I haven't even gone through a Spring yet! I’ve been listening to the industry and  while I know you can be overly conservative and cautious, Gardman needs to put solid numbers up. And I’m glad to say we are doing that. Yes, in the future, we would love to make acquisitions. I would love to – I am used to running a much bigger business than this [Gallaghers]. But timing is everything, as in life and it doesn't always turn up when you want it to.”

Hainsworth said he felt the subsequent withdrawl of three major suppliers from Solus “leaves retailers in a bit of a mess”. Retailers using other wholesalers might face higher prices, credit limits would probably be tighter and there would be the extra administration and complication of dealing with more suppliers, who will be going direct if they are not dealing with a wholesaler. “Managing the infrastructure and logistics with lorries turning up all over the place would be difficult, whereas in the past, one lorry would deliver the vast majority of it.”

“The last thing retailers need now is to staff up their back office to deal with more admin – they need resources on the shop floor, driving consumers to buy higher value products. Obviously, we’re a competitor, so in the short term I would say it’s going to have some positives for us, but for the general industry, it’s not good news.