UniPharma takes on customers after Vriesia ceases trading

UniPharma has welcomed a large proportion of the former customers of health and beauty wholesaler Vriesia, according to a report published by De Nationale Franchise Gids on 29 September 2026. Vriesia’s decision to cease trading forced the retailers it supplied to find another supplier at short notice this year. For the Dutch franchise community, the news highlights the importance of both continuity of supply and the support behind a retail business.

Closure makes alternative supply arrangements necessary

The loss of Vriesia presented the health and beauty retailers it supplied with an immediate challenge: finding an alternative source of products. This was not simply about choosing another trading partner, but about securing supplies so their shops could continue operating.

According to the report, the closure is now also reflected in the sale of Vriesia’s warehouse and office equipment in Alkmaar. The source material provides no further details about the background to the closure, so there is no basis for drawing conclusions about its cause.

UniPharma responded to the situation by taking on a large proportion of Vriesia’s former customers. The report does not specify exactly how many retailers have switched. Nor does it describe when individual transfers took place or what terms were agreed.

UniPharma serves customers in the Netherlands and Belgium

The Middelburg-based wholesaler has been operating for more than 45 years. From a 14,000-square-metre distribution centre, UniPharma supplies over 2,000 customers in the Netherlands and Belgium. According to the company, its range now comprises around 43,000 products.

These figures give an indication of the wholesaler’s existing scale. They do not, however, reveal what proportion of its customer base consists of former Vriesia customers. The customer total also covers two countries and should therefore not be read as a count of Dutch shops alone.

The product range requires the same careful interpretation: it refers to the wholesaler’s offering, not the number of products stocked by every retailer it supplies. For a business owner assessing a new supplier, the key question is how well the available range suits their own shop. The size of the overall range is a starting point, not a description of the stock each shop will ultimately carry.

Supplier also offers retail network support

Working with UniPharma can involve more than product supply. The wholesaler also supports the DBB drogist and G&W Gezondheidswinkel retail networks. DBB has existed since 1996, while the partnership with Gezond & Wel began in 2003.

This gives the news direct relevance to the Dutch franchise community. For an independent health and beauty retailer, switching suppliers may also involve deciding what kind of shop support they want. According to the report, retailers can seek support through a retail network, or remain independent while using services such as marketing and product range support.

UniPharma helps shops with areas including category development, promotions, communications and social media. Supply and commercial support are therefore available within the same business relationship. The report does not specify which services individual retailers use.

It is important, then, to distinguish between a new wholesale customer and a new retail network member. The arrival of former Vriesia customers does not automatically mean that all these retailers have joined DBB drogist or G&W Gezondheidswinkel. The available reporting gives no figures for new network memberships.

Assess continuity of supply and support separately

The central news is that a large proportion of Vriesia’s former customers have found an alternative supplier in UniPharma. This development is therefore primarily about securing supplies. The available retail network support introduces a second decision: how much support is right for the business?

For business owners in the franchise community, it is useful to consider these two questions separately. A suitable product range and clear supply arrangements deserve attention alongside the scope of any marketing and retail network support. The report contains no information about pricing, contract terms or delivery guarantees; retailers will need to seek clarification on these points themselves.

Practical takeaway: when changing suppliers, assess both supply arrangements and the level of retail support you want. Ask explicitly which services are included in the relationship and which require additional agreements.