AF Blakemore has announced that it will sell its wholesale division of 12 cash & carry depots following a strategic review.
In a statement, AF 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.”
AF Blakemore will continue to trade with buying group Landmark Wholesale for the immediate future and will have an ongoing relationship for its 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 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.”
In February, one retailer told Better Wholesaling’s partner website betterRetailing.com that they were considering moving to other wholesalers following frustrations over a lack of investment and continuing availability problems with the company.
Last summer, the company said it was “looking at all options” amid rumours it would sell its wholesale business to Bestway for £100m.
