Bestway
Bestway is a British privately held conglomerate with businesses spanning wholesale distribution, retail, pharmacy, cement manufacturing, banking, property and charitable activity.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
2requests
1companies- Anthropic2
- Profile
- 2
- Controversies
- 0
- JSON · MD
- 0
- First read
- Nov 4, 2026
- Latest read
- Nov 4, 2026
From this site's server log
Overview
Bestway is the operating brand and group identity associated with Bestway Group, a British conglomerate headquartered in London and active principally in the United Kingdom and Pakistan. The business began in 1976 as Bestway Wholesale and subsequently developed into a diversified group whose activities extend beyond wholesale distribution into convenience retail, pharmacy, alcoholic-drinks retail, cement manufacturing, banking, property and philanthropy. The group’s early expansion was built around distribution and related commercial assets. In 1990 it established the property company Palmbest, while its move into Pakistan’s industrial sector began with Bestway Cement in 1995. The first cement plant, located at Hattar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, gave the group a substantial manufacturing presence in a market closely connected with its broader Pakistan interests. Additional cement capacity was developed at Chakwal, and the acquisition of Mustehkam Cement in 2005 further strengthened the business. Financial services became another major pillar. In 2002 Bestway acquired a minority interest in United Bank Limited in Pakistan and later became the bank’s majority shareholder. UBL remains one of the group’s most important investments and links Bestway to commercial banking in Pakistan and international financial services. The group has also pursued adjacent and opportunistic acquisitions in the British consumer economy. It bought wholesale rival Batley’s in 2005, expanded its Scottish cash-and-carry operations through Bellevue and Martex in 2010, and acquired the Co-operative Pharmacy business in 2014. The pharmacy chain was subsequently rebranded as Well Pharmacy. Bestway continued building a multi-brand retail platform through the acquisition of Bargain Booze and Wine Rack in 2018 and the UK arm of Costcutter in 2020. The Costcutter transaction expanded the group’s network of independently operated and symbol-group stores, including brands such as Costcutter, Co-op, Kwiksave, Mace and Supershop. These businesses complement Bestway’s wholesale operations by connecting supply, retail branding and consumer-facing services. In 2023, Bestway made a significant minority investment in Sainsbury’s, increasing its shareholding during the year to 4.99 percent. The investment positioned Bestway as a notable shareholder in a major British supermarket group, although it did not make Bestway the owner or controller of Sainsbury’s. In Pakistan, Bestway and UBL also pursued the proposed acquisition of UBL’s interest in United National Bank’s UK joint venture, subject to regulatory approval. Separately, Silkbank was amalgamated into UBL in March 2025 following approval by Pakistan’s central bank. The group’s social and institutional identity is reinforced by the Bestway Foundation, established in 1987. The foundation focuses on health and education, supporting schools, universities, scholarships, hospitals and humanitarian causes in the United Kingdom and Pakistan. Its activities have included scholarship partnerships with Oxford, Cambridge, Bradford and Kent, as well as support for charitable organizations and emergency responses. Bestway therefore operates less like a single consumer product label than a diversified family-associated business group whose portfolio combines trade distribution, strategic investments and long-term philanthropic commitments.
History
Bestway’s history began in 1976, when Sir Anwar Pervez established Bestway Wholesale in the United Kingdom. The original business focused on wholesale distribution and became the foundation for a group that later combined trade, manufacturing, financial services and consumer operations. In 1990 the group created Palmbest as a property business, adding a real-estate dimension to its wholesale activities. The next major phase involved expansion into Pakistan. Bestway established Bestway Cement in 1995 and opened its first plant at Hattar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The plant initially had annual capacity of approximately 0.99 million tonnes, which was later increased. A second cement plant at Chakwal in Punjab was established in 2004, adding approximately 1.8 million tonnes of annual capacity. In 2005 Bestway acquired an 85.29 percent interest in Mustehkam Cement, whose plant resumed production soon after the acquisition. That same year, the group acquired British wholesale competitor Batley’s, consolidating its position in the UK cash-and-carry and wholesale sector. Banking became central to the group’s Pakistan strategy in 2002, when Bestway successfully bid for a controlling share in United Bank Limited. The investment developed into a majority ownership position and gave the group exposure to one of Pakistan’s major commercial banks. Bestway’s interests therefore came to span both industrial production and regulated financial services. During the 2010s, Bestway broadened its UK platform. In 2010 it bought Scottish cash-and-carry businesses Bellevue and Martex. In 2014 it acquired the Co-operative Group’s pharmacy chain, then the United Kingdom’s third-largest pharmacy business. The stores were subsequently rebranded as Well Pharmacy. The transaction materially expanded Bestway’s workforce and consumer-facing presence. Well Pharmacy later pursued health-related community initiatives, including a partnership with the Stroke Association. Bestway continued its retail diversification in 2018 by acquiring Bargain Booze and Wine Rack. In 2020 it announced the acquisition of Costcutter’s UK arm from Bibby Line. The deal gave Bestway access to a large network of stores operating under several banners, including Costcutter, Co-op, Kwiksave, Mace and Supershop. This strengthened the connection between Bestway’s wholesale supply capabilities and independent convenience retail. In 2023 the group acquired a minority stake in Sainsbury’s. The holding was initially reported at 3.45 percent, rose to 4.47 percent soon afterward and reached 4.99 percent later that year. Bestway also submitted an indicative offer concerning UBL’s 55 percent shareholding in United National Bank Limited’s UK joint venture with the National Bank of Pakistan. The proposal required regulatory clearance and was not simply an ordinary retail acquisition. The group’s banking portfolio changed again when Silkbank’s merger with UBL was approved by the State Bank of Pakistan. The amalgamation became effective in March 2025 through a share-swap mechanism, integrating Silkbank into UBL. This continued Bestway’s long-running association with Pakistan’s banking sector. Philanthropy has been a continuing part of the group’s development. Bestway Foundation was created in 1987 to support health and education. A Pakistan foundation followed in 1997. Over subsequent decades, the group supported schools, university scholarships, hospitals, humanitarian relief and community initiatives in both countries. Scholarship commitments included partnerships with the Universities of Bradford and Kent, Oxford University and the University of Cambridge. During the COVID-19 crisis, Bestway’s Pakistan businesses also contributed to relief efforts. The combination of commercial diversification and charitable activity remains a defining feature of Bestway’s corporate identity.
- 2025
Silkbank is integrated into UBL
[1]Silkbank’s amalgamation with United Bank Limited becomes effective after approval by Pakistan’s central bank.
- 2023
Bestway builds a Sainsbury’s stake
[1]The group increases its minority interest in Sainsbury’s to 4.99 percent during the year.
- 2020
Costcutter UK acquisition is announced
[1]Bestway agrees to acquire Costcutter’s UK operations and associated convenience-store network.
- 2018
Bargain Booze and Wine Rack are acquired
[1]The group adds two UK alcoholic-drinks retail brands to its portfolio.
- 2014
Co-operative Pharmacy is acquired
[1]Bestway buys the Co-operative Group’s pharmacy business, later rebranding it as Well Pharmacy.
- 2005
Batley’s and Mustehkam Cement expand the portfolio
[1]Bestway acquires UK wholesaler Batley’s and takes an 85.29 percent interest in Mustehkam Cement.
- 2002
Bestway acquires control of United Bank Limited
[1]Bestway successfully bids for a controlling share in Pakistan’s United Bank Limited.
- 1995
Bestway enters cement manufacturing
[1]The group establishes Bestway Cement and opens its first plant at Hattar in Pakistan.
- 1990
Palmbest is formed
[1]Bestway creates a property business as part of its diversification strategy.
- 1987
Bestway Foundation is founded
[1]The group establishes a charitable foundation focused on health and education.
Products and positioning
A diversified, privately held British business group combining wholesale and retail infrastructure in the United Kingdom with industrial, banking and philanthropic interests in Pakistan.
Wholesale distribution · 1976
Bestway Wholesale
Bestway Wholesale is the group’s original UK business and supplies grocery, foodservice and other consumer products to independent retailers and trade customers. Its role connects manufacturers and brand owners with convenience stores and other commercial buyers, providing the distribution infrastructure that supports several Bestway retail initiatives.
Cement manufacturing · 1995
Bestway Cement
Bestway Cement is the group’s Pakistani cement business. It began with a plant at Hattar and later expanded through additional capacity at Chakwal and the acquisition of Mustehkam Cement. The business supplies cement for construction and infrastructure markets and represents one of Bestway’s principal industrial operations.
Community pharmacy · 2014
Well Pharmacy
Well Pharmacy is the consumer-facing pharmacy chain created after Bestway acquired the Co-operative Pharmacy business. It operates community pharmacies and provides prescription, health and medicines-related services. The chain has also been used as a platform for public-health and charitable campaigns.
Convenience retail services · 2020
Costcutter and associated convenience brands
Bestway’s Costcutter-related operations support a network of independently operated convenience stores through retail branding, wholesale supply and commercial services. The platform includes or has included multiple banners, such as Costcutter, Co-op, Kwiksave, Mace and Supershop, extending the group’s reach beyond directly operated outlets.
Banking investment · 2002
United Bank Limited investment
United Bank Limited is a major Pakistani banking investment associated with Bestway Group. Bestway first acquired a minority interest in 2002 and later became the bank’s majority shareholder. UBL provides commercial and financial services and has been involved in subsequent banking consolidation, including the integration of Silkbank in 2025.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Know Your Blood Pressure
United Kingdom
Well Pharmacy launched a charity partnership with the Stroke Association to promote blood-pressure awareness and raise funds for stroke-related work.
Outcome. The campaign set a fundraising target of £250,000 for the Stroke Association.
Brand decisions
2025
Silkbank amalgamation into UBLM&ABackground
The transaction consolidated banking operations associated with Bestway’s principal Pakistani financial-services investment.
Action taken
Silkbank was amalgamated into United Bank Limited through a share-swap arrangement after State Bank of Pakistan approval.
Aftermath
The merger became effective on 11 March 2025 and Silkbank’s operations were integrated into UBL.
Share-swap ratio. 1 UBL share for every 325 Silkbank shares (Effective 11 March 2025)
2023
Investment in Sainsbury’sStrategyBackground
Bestway expanded its portfolio through a strategic minority investment in a major UK supermarket group.
Action taken
Bestway acquired a stake that increased from 3.45 percent to 4.47 percent and then to 4.99 percent during 2023.
Aftermath
Bestway became a significant minority shareholder without acquiring control of Sainsbury’s.
2020
Acquisition of Costcutter UKM&ABackground
Bestway aimed to deepen the relationship between its wholesale distribution business and independent convenience retail.
Action taken
The group announced the acquisition of Costcutter’s UK arm from Bibby Line.
Aftermath
The transaction gave Bestway access to a broad multi-brand network of convenience stores.
2014
Acquisition of the Co-operative PharmacyM&ABackground
Bestway sought to diversify its UK wholesale-centered portfolio through entry into community pharmacy.
Action taken
The group acquired the Co-operative Group’s pharmacy business and subsequently rebranded it as Well Pharmacy.
Aftermath
The acquisition substantially expanded Bestway’s UK workforce and consumer-facing healthcare presence.
Acquisition price. £620 million (2014)
Recent events
Reported
Bestway rolls out Jisp shopping and payment app[2]
Bestway announced the rollout of the Jisp shopping and payment app to all its retail partners and corporate stores after a recent trial.
Reported
Bestway expands Jisp partnership to retail partners and corporate stores[3]
Bestway expanded its partnership with shopping app Jisp to all its retail partners and corporate stores, following a 12-store trial. Jisp said it would onboard three stores a week and provide home delivery, click-and-collect, and scan-and-go services.
Reported
Bestway launches Home Shop app[4]
Bestway launched Home Shop, an app that enables its franchise and symbol partners to offer home delivery and click-and-collect services. The app was being trialled before a full rollout expected in the new year.
Sources4 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/bestway · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled