Marks & Spencer switches wholesale partners in ‘strategic shift’

Marks & Spencer has dropped former partner Booker, which is owned by Tesco, in favour of privately owned AF Blakemore & Son.

M&S said that the “strategic supply chain shift” was part of its ‘reshape for growth’ strategy and would “help deliver a more consistent and reliable shopping experience for customers as M&S continues its journey to become a shopping list retailer”.

Blakemore, one of the country’s biggest family-owned businesses, will provide a daily delivery service to M&S, with consolidated chilled and ambient supply, which is expected to improve availability and enhance operational efficiency. 

While the bulk of what M&S sells is own-brand, it also offers a range of complementary third-party lines so that shoppers can buy more of their shopping list requirements. The retailer said that it will not be increasing the proportion of third-party brands as a result of the new tie-up. 

M&S Food managing director Alex Freudmann said: “We are thrilled to be backing another British family business, working with AF Blakemore & Son as our new, trusted wholesale partner.

“Blakemore will be providing an improved wholesale solution with a full seven-day-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.”

AF Blakemore & Son chief executive Carol Welch said: “This partnership reflects the advances made in our wholesale and food service capabilities and the significant investment in our infrastructure and product ranging.”