Stockport-based wholesaler Parfetts has made a strategic investment to acquire 25 per cent of Manchester digital agency Pixel.
Pixel has already worked with Parfetts to to develop the wholesaler’s online ordering platform, and the new investment will help the two companies to further collaborate, as well as build new technology for convenience retailers and shoppers alike.
Parfetts, a family company which was founded in 1980 and reported a turnover of £570m for the 12 months to June 2021, has been fully employee-owned since October 2018. It supports over 1,000 retailers within its Go Local fascia group and operates seven depots across the UK. It has collaborated with Built by Pixel on the evolution of its own digital platforms for over a decade and has seen online orders grow to 40% of its turnover during that time.
The deal sees Parfetts take a 25 per cent stake in the digital agency for an undisclosed sum. It will enable the development of new mobile and online platforms.
Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, said: “We’ve made a strategic investment to help us accelerate our plans and develop new technology that will raise the bar for retailers and shoppers alike.”
Pixel is a Manchester-based digital studio that specialises in the design, development, and architecture of custom-made online applications. The team of 15 works with clients from start-ups to multi-national brands including Sports Direct, British Airways and Thomas Cook.
