About us

Youings Wholesale, based in Barnstaple, is Devon’s longest serving wholesaler supplying tobacco, confectionery, crisps, snacks, groceries, soft drinks, coffee, beers, wines and spirits to the independent retail trade.

Our knowledge of the industry is only preceded by our commitment to our customers, that’s why our motto is ‘Service  with Quality’.

In addition to Youings Wholesale, we have two sister companies; Havana Coffee Co. providing a range of coffee machines and coffee supplies to hotels, pubs and cafés across the south west, and Youings Retail shop which is located in Barnstaple. For a drop shipment solution to your chilled and frozen goods visit Gainsmore.

A brief history

Youings have been supplying tobacco and confectionery for over 135 years, a business passed down from father to son through four generations. We therefore have a wealth of experience and knowledge of the trade. The range has broadened over the years to incorporate crisps, snacks, soft drinks, grocery, wines, beers and spirits, coffee and coffee machines.

Youings have always been renowned in North Devon for our tobacconist shop at 1 High Street Barnstaple. However, few realised that behind the scenes at the shop for over half a century a thriving wholesale business was bursting at the seams.

Founded in 1884, the business has been passed down through four generations and is now run by Peter and his team. But it was not until 1988 that conditions became so intolerable at 1 High Street that more suitable premises were found nearby at the Barbican Industrial Estate, a purpose built 14,000 sq. ft. warehouse, considered an ample size at the time.

The huge increase in space allowed Youings to develop from predominantly tobacco products and a modest confectionery and snack range, to an extensive range of convenience groceries, household goods, toiletries and sundries, soft drinks, beer, wines and spirits, and also probably the largest range of confectionery held by any wholesaler or cash and carry in the Westcountry.

Since our move to Barbican, we have expanded our business dramatically, extending our delivery area to the whole of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Bristol and Dorset. As a consequence of our coverage aqnd renowned service Youings have been awarded preferred supplier status to Devon County Council Schools, as well as contracts to supply Mole Valley Farmers, Trago Mills, University Of Exeter and TNS Catering.

In 2008 Youings acquired Havana coffee Co, a coffee and tea wholesaler supplying foodservice accounts such as coffee shops, hotels, and pubs as well as retail packs to shops. Havana supplies and services machinery to suit all needs as well as providing training