El Corte Inglés will join buying group AMS Sourcing from next January.

Its inclusion will give AMS 14 retail members including Ahold, Delhaize Group, Esselunga, Jerónimo Martins and Morrisons in 28 European countries and with combined annual retail sales of approximately E130bn (£103.39bn).

AMS managing director Bert Swartsenburg said: “We are more than happy to welcome El Corte Inglés into our buying alliance.

Its extra buying volume, unique knowledge and expertise in both food and non-food retailing and sourcing will be of great mutual value for AMS and its members.”