Today, M&S Food is announcing another step forward in its Reshape for Growth strategy by appointing A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, one of the UK’s largest family-owned businesses, as its new primary wholesale partner for third party branded products.
The new strategic partnership will help deliver a more consistent and reliable shopping experience for customers as M&S continues its journey to become a shopping list retailer. Blakemore will deliver directly to M&S’ regional distribution network with a new seven day a week service ensuring freshness and exceptional quality.
Under the multi-year agreement, A.F. Blakemore will supply a selection of premium branded goods to complement M&S’s own brand offer. The new daily delivery service, with consolidated chilled and ambient supply, will improve product availability and increase operational efficiency.
Partnering with family-owned A.F. Blakemore & Son, based in West Midlands, reflects a shared commitment to excellence, care and responsibility behind every product. The move underlines M&S Food’s longstanding commitment to family-owned businesses, with around 20% of its suppliers being family owned and operated.
Alex Freudmann, Managing Director at M&S Food, said: "We are thrilled to be backing another British family business, working with A.F Blakemore & Son as our new, trusted wholesale partner. Blakemore will be providing an improved wholesale solution with a full seven days a week service that will increase availability for our stores and customers. As we reshape our business for growth and focus on improving availability and efficiency, choosing the right, trusted partners who can deliver on that is key."
Carol Welch, CEO of A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, said: “At A.F. Blakemore & Son we are committed to delivering consistent quality, agility, and service, and it’s a privilege to partner with M&S to help accelerate growth of their Food business. This partnership reflects the advances made in our wholesale and food service capabilities and the significant investment in our infrastructure, and product ranging. I want to take this opportunity to recognise the teams at AFB and M&S who have made this a smooth transition, and I look forward to building a strong, rewarding and high growth partnership.”
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For further information, please contact:
M&S Corporate Press Office:
+44 (0)20 8718 1919
[email protected]
Notes to editor
About A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd
A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd was founded in 1917 and is a family-owned food & drink retail and wholesale distribution business, based in Willenhall, West Midlands. Peter Blakemore is the third generation of the Blakemore family to lead the company, which currently employs more than 7,000 people. Visit www.afblakemore.com
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