Hancocks Cash and Carry was established in 1962 when Ray Hancock and his wife Liz started wholesaling confectionery from their UK sweet shop in Shepshed near Loughborough. Ray had realized the benefits of buying sweets and chocolates in bulk and filled every bit of space in the building with confectionery so that he could supply other local retailers at a profit.

The cash and carry business soon grew, moving to new premises three times before 1970. Today, Hancock's head office is located on Jubilee Drive in Loughborough, still close to the origins of the company with the Loughborough wholesale store next door to it.

Following the success of the Loughborough premises as a confectionery wholesaler, Hancocks quickly moved forward to open new stores across the UK. In 1969 the company opened its second store in Sheffield with Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester and Birmingham following over the next few years. By 1986 the confectionery company had succeeded in opening seven stores throughout the country.

When Ray Hancock died in 1986, his two sons took over at the head of the business, continuing the aggressive growth plan that their father had started so successfully. The Hancock brothers sold the business to a management buy-out in 2012.

HANCOCKS TODAY

Still specialising in the wholesale of confectionery to independent retailers and other businesses, Hancocks offers in excess of 3,000 products and has 14 wholesale stores, stretching from Glasgow to Portsmouth as well the the online store. Hancocks has the largest range of sweets and chocolates available in the UK!

The chain now part of the Hancocks Bonds Group has achieved consistent sales growth for many years, often bucking the trend of the UK confectionery industry.

Stocking all of the main brands from the leading confectionery manufacturers, Hancocks also sells a substantial range of pick and mix sweets under its Kingsway own label, including many old fashioned and retro sweets in addition to more contemporary children’s favorites. With no other wholesaler offering such a huge range, pick and mix is a highly profitable area of confectionery that many businesses continue to benefit from.

Hancocks is also known for its comprehensive range of value and lesser known branded confectionery, which has become a key driver in recent years. A skilled buying team ensure very competitive pricing and a continual programme of excellent special offers and exclusive deals.

Specialists in confectionery, Hancocks is always interested to hear from new suppliers that can offer products that need clearing due to over-runs, packaging changes, short dated products and discontinued lines.