By Klim Artemov, founder of Globaltic
Short answer: Open a trade account through our wholesale page, choose a pallet tier (quarter, half, light full or full), and we deliver UK-wide, typically in 2–3 working days, with standard delivery included. Indicative trade prices start at £7.90 ex VAT for a 5kg bag of silver birch lumpwood with a £15.20 RRP. On our core lumpwood range, that's a retail margin of roughly 30–40% at half and full pallet.
This guide sets out how it works for farm shops, garden centres, butchers, BBQ specialists and independent retailers, with indicative numbers so you can run the sums before you call us.
Why stock premium charcoal
Charcoal is a repeat purchase. A customer who finds a bag that lights cleanly and holds heat comes back for the same bag, often every few weeks through the season. That makes the fuel you stock a reason to visit.
What makes ours easy to sell:
- Specs you can repeat to customers. Our silver birch lumpwood is specified at 80–90% carbon, under 3% ash and under 4% moisture, and rated at up to 8 hours in a closed kamado.
- Kitchen credibility. The same fuel runs in professional kitchens including Michelin-starred Mana, Opheem and Da Terra, plus Pasture and Flat Iron. It's the easiest sales line a shop assistant can give.
- A range that trades up. Start customers on 5kg birch, move them to 10kg, then to oak, apple or HazelHex for specific cooks.
The range most stockists start with
| Product | Who buys it | Key spec |
|---|---|---|
| Silver birch lumpwood 5kg | Entry, impulse and first-time buyers | Up to 700°C, clean neutral flavour |
| Silver birch lumpwood 10kg | Regular grillers, kamado owners | Up to 8 hours in a closed kamado |
| Apple lumpwood 5kg | Flavour-led buyers | Fruitwood sweetness |
| Oak lumpwood 10kg | Steak and high-heat cooks | Up to 800°C |
| Birch briquettes 10kg | Long, even burns | 3–5 hours, up to 800°C |
| HazelHex briquettes 10kg | Enthusiasts and the premium shelf | 6–8 hours, up to 1100°C, potato-starch binder |
| Spanish Holm Oak 15kg | Asado, high-heat and kamado specialists | Up to 950°C, 4–6 hours |
Pallet tiers and indicative trade prices
Indicative Zone 2 trade prices per bag, ex VAT, as of October 2026. Your delivery zone is set by postcode, and we confirm exact prices on your quote. RRPs include VAT.
| Product | Full pallet | Light full | Half pallet | Quarter (20 bags) | RRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver birch 5kg | £7.90 (100) | £8.20 (72) | £8.25 (50) | £9.95 | £15.20 |
| Apple lumpwood 5kg | £8.30 (100) | £8.60 (72) | £9.40 (50) | £10.60 | £16.50 |
| Silver birch 10kg | £15.20 (60) | £15.60 (42) | £16.20 (30) | £17.40 | £27.50 |
| Oak lumpwood 10kg | £15.70 (60) | £16.10 (42) | £16.80 (30) | £18.00 | £27.50 |
| Birch briquettes 10kg | £14.90 (100) | £15.10 (72) | £15.40 (50) | £16.60 | £24.50 |
| HazelHex 10kg | £21.50 (70) | £21.80 (60) | £22.20 (35) | £23.40 | £32.00 |
| Spanish Holm Oak 15kg | £21.10 (50) | £21.50 (40) | £21.90 (30) | £22.30 | £35.00 |
Bag counts per tier are shown in brackets. If you want more than one product, ask us about combining lines on a pallet.
What the margin looks like
Retail margin is worked out on the RRP minus VAT. Two worked examples at full pallet:
Silver birch 5kg - RRP £15.20, so £12.67 ex VAT - Trade price £7.90 - Margin £4.77 per bag, about 38%
Silver birch 10kg - RRP £27.50, so £22.92 ex VAT - Trade price £15.20 - Margin £7.72 per bag, about 34%
At half pallet, the same two lines give roughly 35% and 29%. Smaller tiers cost more per bag, so a quarter pallet is best treated as a trial order. Once you know your rate of sale, moving up a tier is where the margin is.
Lead times and delivery
- Standard delivery: included, UK-wide.
- Lead time: typically 2–3 working days.
- Faster: a next-working-day upgrade is available on most orders.
- Storage: keep charcoal dry and off the floor. It picks up moisture from damp concrete, and damp charcoal lights slower. A covered, ventilated store is ideal.
How to open a trade account
- Tell us about your shop. Location, type of customer and how much shelf or yard space you have for fuel. Use the form on our wholesale page.
- Get your zone quote. We confirm trade prices for your postcode and suggest a starting range.
- Place a first order. Most stockists start with a quarter or half pallet to learn their rate of sale.
- Reorder on a rhythm. Once you know your weekly sell-through, we can set up a repeat order so you don't run out at the start of a sunny weekend.
Private label
If you'd rather sell charcoal under your own brand, we also produce private-label fuel for UK food and retail brands. Ask about it when you get in touch, and we'll talk through specs, packaging and minimums.
Frequently asked questions
How do I become a charcoal stockist in the UK?
Open a trade account with the supplier, agree your delivery zone and prices, and place a first pallet order. With Globaltic, start through the wholesale page form; we confirm your zone price and suggest a starting range.
What margin do retailers make on charcoal?
On Globaltic's core lumpwood range at indicative Zone 2 prices, retail margins are roughly 30–40% at half and full pallet. For example, a 5kg bag of silver birch costs £7.90 ex VAT at full pallet against a £15.20 RRP, a margin of about 38%.
What is the minimum order for a charcoal stockist?
Globaltic's smallest pallet tier is a quarter pallet of 20 bags. Half, light-full and full pallets lower the price per bag.
How long does charcoal delivery take?
Orders are typically delivered in 2–3 working days, with standard UK delivery included. A next-working-day upgrade is available on most orders.
Are the trade prices fixed?
The prices shown are indicative Zone 2 trade prices, ex VAT, as of October 2026. Your postcode sets your delivery zone, and we confirm exact prices on your quote.
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