Details are emerging of temporary supply agreements forged by Kwik Save to maintain availability while it attempts to secure more permanent contracts.

Leicester-based Crown Crest Enterprises has confirmed that it is supplying all Kwik Save stores with ambient food, while Sert UK, based in Nottingham, is delivering toiletries. Crown Crest said Kwik Save was considering making the agreement permanent.

A third company is also known to be supplying Kwik Save with chilled food.

Nisa-Today's confirmed reports it had supplied Kwik Save with a small amount of product directly after the acquisition, but said the agreement had ended.

Kwik Save was remaining tight-lipped about its supply chain agreements as The Grocer went to press.

A consortium called Back to The Future, led by Richard Kirk, chief executive of clothing retail firm Peacock Group, bought Kwik Save from Somerfield in February. A dedicated depot in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire, was secured, but industry sources insisted it would have to strengthen distribution to support its 171 stores in England and Wales.

Meanwhile, the closure of distributor Wincanton's dedicated Somerfield depot in Wellingborough has been scheduled for October.

The decision is expected to result in the loss of 380 jobs and forms part of a consolidation of Somerfield's distribution network in the wake of the Kwik Save deal.