M&S has appointed A.F. Blakemore as its primary wholesale partner, bringing an end to a 15-year supply deal with Booker.
Under a “multi-year agreement”, Blakemore Food Solutions will provide M&S with branded products that supplement the supermarket’s own-label range, according to our sister title The Grocer.
Blakemore will deliver an “improved wholesale solution” offering a full seven day service to boost availability for both stores and customers, said M&S managing director Alex Freudmann. Compared with Booker’s five day service, reported The Grocer.
The wholesaler will deliver the goods via M&S’s regional distribution network to more than 550 stores nationwide.
Freudmann added: “We are thrilled to be backing another British family business, working with A.F Blakemore & Son as our new, trusted wholesale partner.
“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.”
Blakemore chief executive Carol Welch said: “At A.F. Blakemore 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 A.F. Blakemore 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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