Rogers Wholesale Foods

Rogers Wholesale Foods, wholesaler of food past its best-before date

Rogers Wholesale Foods Ltd is a British wholesaler specialising in the sale to the public of food and drink that is past or approaching its best-before date. The company presents itself as the UK's largest warehouse in this segment and operates four warehouses open to the public seven days a week, with no membership required.

Its business model consists of buying surplus food and drink in bulk in order to pass the savings on to its customers. The catalogue covers more than 5,000 product lines, including well-known brands, in categories such as drinks, biscuits and cakes, crisps and snacks, sweets, chocolates, tinned, jarred and dried foods. It also stocks gluten-free, dairy-free and 'free from' products.

Difference between best-before date and use-by date

The company focuses its activity on products past their best-before date, a concept it associates with quality rather than food safety. According to its explanation, these products can be sold, redistributed or consumed after that date, although they may lose flavour, texture or colour. By contrast, it does not sell any item past its use-by date, as this relates to safety and affects products such as meat, fish and unpasteurised cheese.

The company links its activity to reducing food waste. It cites that every year in the UK more than 9.4 million tonnes of food and drink are thrown away, much of it past its best-before date but still fit for consumption.

History and expansion

Rogers Wholesale Foods Ltd began trading in 2015, when Mark and Roger opened their first warehouse in Wimborne, Dorset. Roger had a warehouse larger than he needed for his pie and pasty business, and Mark drove the project forward with the idea of showing the public that products past their best-before date can be used and that considerable savings can be made on food shopping.

Growing demand led the company to move to larger premises. In September 2023 it announced its new warehouse in Plymouth, reaffirming its commitment to remain in the city. In July 2025 it opened a new warehouse in Manchester, moving from its former nearby site. The company has announced plans to open a new warehouse in 2026.

How the warehouses work

All warehouses are open to the public seven days a week, with no membership and no appointment needed. Sales are made only by the case or in large packs, given the wholesale nature of the business. The company offers help carrying purchases to the car if the customer needs it.

Accepted payment methods include credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Android Pay, Google Pay, contactless up to £100 and cash.

Warehouse network

The company has four warehouses. The Poole warehouse, in Dorset, serves as its headquarters. The other three are in Plymouth (Devon), Bilston (near Wolverhampton) and Manchester, the latter opened in July 2025 as its new flagship warehouse.

Locations and premises

Manchester branch: Unit 1 Park Gate Close, Bredbury Park Way, Bredbury Industrial Estate, SK6 2SZ · Phone: 07594 629102

Bilston branch: Unit 4 Beldray Park, Mount Pleasant, Bilston WV14 7NH · Phone: 07706 055384

Plymouth branch: 2 Lister Close, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon PL7 4BA · Phone: 07729 212036

Poole branch: Just off the Old Wareham Road, Unit 32-33 Chalwyn Industrial Estate, St Clements Road, Poole BH12 4PE · Phone: 07871 712379