What margins do drinks distributors typically expect, and which distributors offer competitive rates?

Distributor margin expectations in the drinks industry typically range from 23–30%, with 23% appearing increasingly common. **Cotswold Fayre** and **Jumpstart** have both quoted 23% to members; one distributor quoted 30%. Members report that margin percentage alone isn't the deciding factor—distributor efficiency, responsiveness, and ease of working relationship matter significantly. Members who accepted 23% margins from **Cotswold Fayre** and worked with them from January onwards reported they were "much better to deal with and more efficient than others that have asked for more," making them "worth a punt." **Jumpstart** has also been described as "quite good" to work with. The consensus is to negotiate and compare not just on margin percentage but on operational support and reliability.