Business Data Group, the parent trading company of the UK’s largest and most active online community for small and micro-business owners, UK Business Forums (UKBF), has today announced its acquisition of the independent retailer stock sourcing and advice site The Supplier Central. The acquisition of The Supplier Central by Business Data Group will significantly increase UKBF’s reach to UK small and micro-business owners, enabling it to support and advise a collective membership of over half a million company founders and entrepreneurs who are starting, developing or growing their businesses.

Since Business Data Group’s re-acquisition of UKBF last year, its growing membership of small and micro-business owners has flourished to almost 300,000 and this new merger will further boost its reach and engagement at a time when small company founders face unprecedented challenges.

Richard Osborne, founder and CEO, Business Data Group says: “Business Data Group is heavily invested in supporting the UK economy by providing small and micro-business owners with unrivalled support for every stage of their business journey. Business Data Group acquired UKBF last year and, since then, the online community and the small business support UKBF provides has gone from strength to strength.

Business Data Group has ambitious plans for the future, and we will continue to grow UKBF membership and its support for small businesses, as we champion the small business community on a national level.”

Founded in 2004, The Supplier Central supporters independent retailers to realise and maximise their opportunities in the global marketplace.

Helen Parker, Managing Director, The Supplier Central says: “It has been a privilege to grow The Supplier Central over the years. As business needs move forwards and expand to new areas, selling The Supplier Central to Business Data Group is a natural choice to ensure the best possible support, and I am confident in the exceptional support its community will benefit from as part of UK Business Forums.”