Strategic supply chain shift: M&S Food appoints Blakemore Food Solutions as primary wholesale partner

Today, M&S Food is announcing another step forward in its Reshape for Growth strategy by appointing A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, one of the UK’s largest family-owned businesses, as its new primary wholesale partner for third party branded products. 

This strategic partnership will streamline and modernise M&S’ supply chain, helping deliver a more consistent and reliable shopping experience for customers as it continues its journey to become a shopping list retailer. 

At the heart of M&S Food is a commitment to sourcing and making high-quality, great-tasting products. Its vision remains to be the UK’s most trusted retailer, doing the right thing for customers, with quality at the heart of everything it does. M&S Food is renowned for unrivalled quality, value, and innovation, trusted by families for every occasion. Partnering with family-owned Blakemore Food Solutions reflects a shared commitment to excellence, care, and responsibility behind every product.

Under the multi-year agreement, A.F. Blakemore will supply a range of premium branded goods to complement M&S’s core own brand ranges. The products will be supplied to M&S’ regional distribution network, serving more than 550 stores nationwide. With a seven-day delivery service and consolidated chilled and ambient supply, this partnership will improve product availability and increase operational efficiency.

Alex Freudmann, Managing Director at M&S Food, said: "We are thrilled to be working with A.F Blakemore as our new, trusted wholesale partner. Blakemore will be providing an improved wholesale solution with a full seven days a week service that will increase availability for our store 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."  

Carol Welch, CEO of A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, said: “At A.F. Blakemore we are committed to delivering consistent quality, agility, and service, and it’s a privilege to partner with M&S to help accelerate the 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 A.F. Blakemore and M&S who have made this a smooth transition, and I look forward to building a strong, rewarding and high growth partnership.”