A.F. Blakemore has announced changes to its retail stricture and leadership team and will now combine Blakemore Retail and Blakemore Trade Partners, with Matt Teague promoted to managing director- retail.
The company’s new organisational structure has been designed to foster collaboration both within the organisation and with external partners and Teague will be supported by Chris Bacon, who will act as store operations director; Louis Drake, retail sales director (formerly commercial director, BTP); Tom Blakemore, retail development director (formerly commercial director, Fresh Foods); while Steve Gale will act as head of formats excellence.
Chief executive Carol Welch said: “It is recognised that through greater collaboration, the skills, talent and the sharing of knowledge and experience across company owned and independent Spar stores, we can accelerate our company owned and independent retailer growth.
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“Matt and his team will be accountable for driving growth in fresh food to go and food for later, acquiring, partnering, extending, and re-furbishing stores to improve our retail sales per square foot and delivering excellent operational standards and service for our customers.”
Welsh added “The last few years have brought their fair share of challenges and opportunities to A.F. Blakemore. Following a strong financial performance in 22/23 driven by our SPAR retail estate, we are committed to sustaining this growth by meeting customer needs, establishing robust relationships with our valued suppliers and partners.”
A.F. Blakemore now consists of the following divisions:
· Retail, which consists of 262 company-owned SPAR stores
· Philpotts, a chain of fifteen prepared-food stores
· Trade Partners, which serves 690 independently owned SPAR stores
· Wholesale Distribution, a complete food & drink supply chain service provider
· Foodservice, which serves catering outlets nationwide
· Fresh Foods, a fresh meat wholesaler, distributor, and importer
· Design & Shopfitting, A.F. Blakemore’s own shop fitting division
· Vegan Store, a wholesaler and distributor of vegan products
