Ethical shopping at affordable prices

Some are smaller groups of friends and relatives who have got together so that they can shop ethically in a more affordable way, while others are larger community consumer co-ops. They all find it beneficial to buy in bulk as it may reduce costs, cut food miles and lessen wasteful packaging and processing. There’s also the satisfaction of being involved in the local community.

Offering an alternative to supermarkets has other benefits. These include increased control of where your food comes from, supporting ethical food production, and gaining access to a wider selection of goods, including produce suitable for dietary requirements that may not be easily available nearby.

Setting up a Buying Group

To open an account with us you will need:

• A minimum of four households.
• A single delivery address with good lorry access.
• A single point of contact.
• A single payment system for orders - please note that orders cannot be paid in separate parts.

Ordering from Essential

Essential offers a complete online ordering system tailored especially for buying groups, with the use of ‘order pads’, which can be used to create separate shopping lists for different group members.

Minimum Order Values

We can deliver to most parts of the UK either in our fleet of vehicles or by using an external transport company. Our own-vehicle drivers are members of our co-operative which helps us to ensure the highest quality in customer care and driver welfare.

Buying Group minimum order values start at £300 and are postcode-dependent; you will be informed of your delivery day and minimum order during your application process.

Delivery Days

Bristol - Any week day

Surrounding Bristol / Bath Areas - Monday & Wednesday

Mon	Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Derby, Nottingham, Manchester, Northampton, Peterborough, Sheffield, Swindon & York areas
Tue	Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Wales
Wed	Bath, Devon, Somerset
Thu	Dorset, East Devon, East & West Sussex, Hampshire, Somerset, Southampton, Wiltshire
Fri	Birmingham, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire

Need Help?

If you have any further queries please contact our New Business desk on 0117 9430 812 or email newbiz@essential-trading.coop.

Our dedicated customer services team are available throughout the day via phone or e-mail to take your order and answer any queries you might have. They have extensive product knowledge and are happy to give advice on best-selling products, new lines and product availability.

If you're local to us you can also use our collection service from our warehouse.