Commenting on the latest news, Blakemore’s joint managing director Geoff Hallam said: “The move away from the cash & carry sector will allow the company to invest further across its wider business and focus its future strategy upon its remaining divisions, as it continues to drive innovation within the retail and wholesale distribution sectors.
“The company has now informed colleagues and will support all 520 of those impacted throughout this process. Further information will be provided as the situation progresses over the coming weeks.”
Blakemore has been a longstanding member of Landmark Wholesale, and the relationship with Landmark will continue for the immediate future and ongoing through the Foodservice and Wholesale Distribution divisions.
“We will be sorry to see AF Blakemore’s cash & carry depot division changing hands; however we are hopeful that some depots may not leave the Landmark family,” said the group’s managing director John Mills. “We understand that in this consolidating market, AF Blakemore have to do what is right for their business. We will work closely with their management team during this process.”
Mills continued: “With 40 members and a group turnover of circa £2.8 billion, Landmark’s focus will remain on providing our members with the best support we can in this competitive environment, including our terms package and access to the central office services such as our award-winning own- brand ranges, marketing and promotions programmes, IT support and many more.”