Family-owned A.F. Blakemore named M&S Food’s wholesale partner to support efficiency and expand branded product range

Family-owned A.F. Blakemore named M&S Food’s wholesale partner to support efficiency and expand branded product range

(IN BRIEF) M&S Food has appointed A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd as its new primary wholesale partner for third-party branded products, strengthening its Reshape for Growth strategy. Under a multi-year agreement, Blakemore will deliver directly to M&S’s regional distribution network with a seven-day-a-week service covering both chilled and ambient goods. The partnership is designed to improve product availability, enhance efficiency, and provide customers with a more consistent shopping experience. By working with Blakemore, one of the UK’s largest family-owned food distribution businesses, M&S reinforces its commitment to family-owned suppliers, which already represent 20% of its network. Both companies emphasized the shared values of quality, responsibility, and growth as central to the collaboration.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 10-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — M&S Food has announced a major step in its Reshape for Growth strategy by naming A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, one of the UK’s largest family-owned wholesalers, as its new primary wholesale partner for branded goods.

The multi-year partnership is designed to create a smoother, more reliable shopping experience as M&S strengthens its position as a shopping list retailer. Blakemore will supply a range of premium third-party branded products to complement M&S’s established own-brand portfolio. Deliveries will feed directly into M&S’s regional distribution network, with a seven-day-a-week consolidated service covering both chilled and ambient goods. This new approach is expected to improve availability on shelves while driving greater efficiency in supply operations.

By choosing A.F. Blakemore, headquartered in the West Midlands, M&S is reinforcing its commitment to working with family-owned businesses — which already account for around 20% of its supplier base. Both companies share values of quality, care, and responsibility that underpin their long-term growth ambitions.

Alex Freudmann, Managing Director at M&S Food, commented:
“We are delighted to partner with another British family business in A.F. Blakemore. They will deliver a wholesale solution that provides a consistent, daily service across the week, improving efficiency in our operations and ensuring better availability for our customers. As we continue to reshape M&S Food for growth, working with trusted partners who can deliver excellence is essential.”

Carol Welch, CEO of A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, added:
“It’s a privilege to be chosen as M&S Food’s wholesale partner. Our focus on quality, agility, and service, backed by strong investment in our infrastructure and product offering, puts us in the perfect position to support M&S’s growth plans. I want to thank the teams on both sides who ensured a seamless transition, and I look forward to building a high-growth, long-term partnership.”

Founded in 1917, A.F. Blakemore is a third-generation, family-owned business that employs more than 7,000 people across its retail, wholesale, and food service operations. The new partnership highlights M&S Food’s strategy of combining trusted own-label excellence with complementary premium brands to better meet customer needs.

For further information, please contact:
M&S Corporate Press Office:
+44 (0)20 8718 1919
corporate.press@marks-and-spencer.com

Notes to editor

About A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd
A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd was founded in 1917 and is a family-owned food & drink retail and wholesale distribution business, based in Willenhall, West Midlands. Peter Blakemore is the third generation of the Blakemore family to lead the company, which currently employs more than 7,000 people. Visit www.afblakemore.com

SOURCE: Marks and Spencer