M&S has ended a long-term supply deal with Booker, appointing Blakemore as its primary wholesale partner instead.
Under a “multi-year agreement”, AF Blakemore will now supply M&S with the branded lines that supplement its own-label offering, in daily deliveries across ambient and chilled.
Booker has been M&S’s branded supplier for more than 15 years. It is understood the decision to end the deal was influenced by Blakemore’s ability to deliver to M&S’s regional distribution network seven days a week versus five days by Booker, with availability and freshness central to M&S’s transformation plan.
M&S said the new partnership would help deliver a more consistent and reliable shopping experience as it continued its journey to becoming a shopping list retailer.
“We are thrilled to be backing another British family business, working with AF Blakemore & Son as our new, trusted wholesale partner,” said M&S Food MD Alex Freudmann.
“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.”
Blakemore CEO Carol Welch said: “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.”
M&S said the move also underlined its food division’s long-standing commitment to family-owned businesses. Around 20% of its suppliers are family-owned and operated, according to the retailer.
No comments yet