AF Blakemore & Son Ltd and Appleby Westward Group have agreed deal which will see AF Blakemore grows its SPAR estate to more than 1000 stores by acquiring SPAR from Appleby Westward in the South West of England.
AF Blakemore & Son Ltd has agreed to acquire SPAR retail and logistics assets in the Southwest of England from Appleby Westward Group (AWG), seeing the majority of AWGs retail and logistics colleagues join AF Blakemore and marking a significant expansion for the 100-year-old family-owned business.
The move represents a significant operational expansion for AF Blakemore strengthening its presence across the South of England and supporting the development and geographical simplification of the SPAR convenience network.
The agreement will see AF Blakemore acquire 71 company operated stores, as well as supplying over 130 independent SPAR partner stores, and the distribution and logistics operations at Saltash in Plymouth.
Following completion, AF Blakemore will support more than 1,000 SPAR stores, further reinforcing its position as the largest SPAR operator in the UK.
Carol Welch, Chief Executive Officer of AF Blakemore, said:
“This is a significant milestone for AF Blakemore and an important step in our long-term growth strategy.
Expanding into the Southwest allows us to build the strength of the SPAR brand investing into proposition and value across stores and retail partners supported with an improved supply chain network that delivers scale, service and efficiency.
Our focus will be on investing in our customer experiences, supporting growth of our new independent retailers, and continuing to invest in and nurture our colleagues and local communities across the region, reinforcing our key values of ‘Striving for Excellence and Building a Better Future”
AF Blakemore has continued to invest in the growth and resilience of the SPAR network, with a continued commitment to supporting independent retailers and local communities.
The expansion into the Southwest will increase AF Blakemore’s scale and reach, enabling the business to secure stronger value for customers and retailers while continuing to invest in its supply chain and stores.
Peter Blakemore, Chairman of AF Blakemore & Son Ltd, said:
“As a family business with more than a century of history, we have always believed in long-term investment in the SPAR brand and the independent retailers we serve.
This expansion into the Southwest reflects that commitment. It strengthens the SPAR network, supports our retail partners, and creates new opportunities for colleagues and communities across the region.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the A F Blakemore team instrumental in enabling this acquisition and extend a warm welcome to our new wider colleagues, retailers and communities.”
Mike Boardman, Managing Director of AWG, said:
“With our owners having decided to seek a new owner for AWG and the SPAR brand in the Southwest of England, we are very pleased with this positive transaction which will strengthen the SPAR brand in the South of England and allows the majority of our stores and colleagues, as well as all retail customer relationships, to transition to AF Blakemore and become part of a highly regarded family business, focused on excellence and inclusivity. We know our retailers and colleagues will continue to thrive under their ownership and this deal creates many new opportunities for the future.”
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