All AF Blakemore articles – Page 10
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News
New Blakemore depot fuels delivered growth
AF Blakemore & Son is poised to become a fully fledged national delivered wholesaler after buying a new 83,000 sq ft depot for deliveries to national customers.Blakemore is to spend £700,000 renovating the former metal storage depot...
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NewsWhat is it about the round pound?
Round pound deals seem to be everywhere these days. Peter Cripps asks why they have suddenly become so ubiquitous and just what is their appeal
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Prince Charles praises Peter Blakemore
Prince Charles has made wholesaler Peter Blakemore one of his business ambassadors for his commitment to responsible trading.
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The £4bn duty fraud scandal
The Government has announced new plans to crack down on duty fraud on beer. But it has also increased duty on cigarettes and alcohol - a move wholesalers fear will exacerbate the problem. So what can be done to stop the duty fraudsters, asks Peter Cripps
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NewsEurospar format set to make its debut on the British mainland
The first Eurospars are due to open on the UK mainland next month. Tates, the retail arm of AF Blakemore, which distributes for Spar in the Midlands and parts of Wales, will open a 5,000 sq ft store in Nottingham at the beginning of May and a...
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In the firing line
Trade bodies have warned of a significant rise in retail theft, burglary and violence as a result of the economic downturn. So what steps are retailers taking to protect themselves and their staff, asks Kelly Smith
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The Big 30: Who's holding the best hand?
The Grocer's annual The Big 30 league table of Britain's wholesalers reveals which companies have played their cards right over the past 12 months and which have been dealt a losing hand. Peter Cripps sorts the jacks from the kings
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Co-op talks to OFT over Lothian deal
The OFT launched a consultation this week into whether The Co-operative Group's merger with Lothian Borders & Angus Co-op would reduce competition - in a move that could force the society to sell off yet more stores. The OFT said it would...
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Liptrot joins Blakemore to fuel delivered growth
John Liptrot, the former MD of the now-defunct buying group Key Lekkerland, has joined AF Blakemore in the newly created position of sales director for the Spar distributor's wholesale division.Liptrot has worked in wholesale for more than...
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AF Blakemore approves Spar retailer loans
Retailers are beginning to reap the rewards of a new loan scheme from wholesaler AF Blakemore for store refurbishments.Five applications to the Guaranteed Investment Scheme have been approved for loans, while a further 19 are in progress....
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AF Blakemore picks Carter to be its first marketing director
Spar wholesaler AF Blakemore has appointed change specialist Jed Carter as its first marketing director. He joined this month from Asda where he was general manager of step change and also worked on the George brand relaunch. Carter said he wanted...
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The Green Issue: Can indies go green too?
Backed by big budgets, the multiples have won a tidal wave of publicity with their environmental initiatives. But, asks Tracy West…
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Blakemore gives Spar store refurbs pledge
AF Blakemore is encouraging independents to spend large sums on refurbishments despite the gloomy economic conditions. The wholesaler, which supplies 700 Spar stores in the Midlands and parts of Wales, has offered to underwrite...
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Wholesalers
no change 1 Charles Wilson Chief executive Booker The man who was once Sir Stuart Rose's right-hand man is now a force to be reckoned with in his own right. He earns his second top spot in a row for his ability to read the...
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News
Well done Morrisons (but none too soon)
Sir; At a time when dairy farmers are facing rising fuel, feed and fertiliser costs, supermarket group Morrisons must be congratulated for increasing its milk buying prices and for telling processors to pass the extra 1p a litre (0.568p a pint)...
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P&H takes a fresh approach
No-one knows better than Chris Etherington how tough life is at the top. Palmer & Harvey McLane may once again have topped off The Grocer's Big 30 annual league table, but its position has looked far from comfortable with a resurgent Booker...
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Appleby Westward boosts local links
South west Spar wholesaler Appleby Westward has joined regional food marketing group Taste of the West as part of a bid to improve links with local suppliers. The company is setting up a supply chain that will enable it to offer local...
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Paul Carey
When most retailers open a new store, they're not too bothered if the local competition suffers. For Local4U, the offshoot of Parfetts Cash & Carry, however, while Tesco and Sainsbury's are fair game, independents have to be given a wide berth....
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wholesalers
No change 1Charles Wilson Chief executive BookerWilson retains the top spotsee right ??? no change 2Younus Sheikh managing director, Bestway Cash & CarryA non-mover at number two, mainly because...
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True fighters in the toughest of times
A bumper Christmas trading period for most independents and the continued spectre of competition from the multiples were the subjects dominating The Grocer's annual Top 50 and Big 30 luncheon, held this month at London's Dorchester...