Wednesday 09-07-2025 - 10:11

We're really pleased with the prices and promotions secured in our categories this year and grateful to our suppliers for once again committing to providing excellent solutions for us (especially off the back of a very successful Trade Convention).

With the aim of being more transparent with our members, we wanted to let you know about a decision to delist one of our current suppliers.

As discussed in our April round table meeting with members, we have been experiencing ongoing challenges with Diageo account management, which have raised concerns about their long-term suitability as a partner.

Despite working closely with them throughout the tender process, unfortunately they fell short in several key areas, most notably pricing, rebate structure, and programme alignment.  Additionally, their proposed activity lacked the innovation and student value required for our programme standards.

We therefore had to make the difficult decision, in conjunction with the NUS Services board, to delist them so we can secure better deals for SUs, and a net benefit to students' unions in excess of £100,000.

What this means for members...

• You can still buy Diageo products at the wholesale price via LWC. Whilst most prices are similar, Guinness will be an additional £4.13 per keg, which is around an extra £5,404 across the whole consortium.
• The value to SUs of delisting Diageo outweighs this, and our programmes reflect quality brands which can be purchased at lower cost giving you flexibility to price for value or increase your profit margins.
• We'll be sharing a list of excellent quality and good value alternative products for the programmes, along with the prices.
• We'll also be able to obtain higher rebates from other brands, which will be returned to students' unions.
• You can stock other brands! We know many of you have wished to stock Brewdog stout, which is now listed.

We'll remain in correspondence with Diageo, and have requested a meeting with their senior management team and Peter Robertson, NUS Charity Director and will of course keep you posted. During these conversations, we would respectfully ask you to refrain from direct discussions with Diageo. Our goal remains, as ever, to secure the best prices and highest rebates on behalf of all our members.

If you have any questions, concerns or ideas, please don't hesitate to contact us so we can support you.