First Stop is shifting up a gear with a first-ever national wholesale agreement with Bond, giving its growing network access to multiple tyre brands across the UK.
The landmark agreement marks a significant new development for the network, replacing the informal regional wholesale arrangements previously used with a consistent national proposition, featuring greater availability.
Bond’s nationwide coverage means First Stop partners will also benefit from improved product variety, with access to a broader range of tyre brands wherever they are located. The move follows direct feedback from dealers, who highlighted the need for a wholesale solution that could provide greater consistency and choice across the network.
The agreement adds further momentum to what has already been a strong year for First Stop, which now boasts 218 members across the UK, up from 166 at the same point last year.
Shaun Sweeney, Franchise Operations Manager UK & Ireland at First Stop, said: “This is a really significant step forward for First Stop and one that has come directly from listening to what our dealers want and need from us.
“Having a national wholesale agreement with Bond gives our partners greater choice, improved availability and access to more brands, wherever they are in the country. It is a major coup for the network and strengthens one of the most important areas of support we can offer our dealers.
“First Stop has continued to grow strongly because we have focused on creating a proposition that works for independent garages, rather than asking them to fit into a rigid model. This agreement is another example of that approach in action.”
Charlie Bond, CEO of Bond International, said “The new partnership with First Stop is something we are proud to be involved in. We have invested and continue to invest in our distribution network exactly for this reason, to be able to support businesses throughout the UK and give them access to our 2.3M stock of tyres and our excellent service levels. This represents an exciting time for both our businesses”
The new wholesale partnership is part of a wider evolution of First Stop’s franchise proposition, which gives independent garages the flexibility to choose a level of support suited to their individual businesses.First Stop is now putting the finishing touches to a new package of support for 2027, which will build on this flexible approach with a greater focus on digital tools and services designed to deliver even more practical value to network partners.
Shaun added: “We’re now finalising what will be an exciting new support package for 2027. It will build on everything our partners already value while putting an even greater emphasis on digital solutions that can make a genuine difference to their businesses.
“We’ve always believed that the best franchise proposition is one that adapts to the needs of the dealer. We’re continuing to listen, continuing to evolve and making sure First Stop gives independent garages the tools, commercial support and flexibility they need to grow and future-proof their businesses.”
For more information about the First Stop network, visit https://www.firststop.co.uk/
