Blakemore Trade Partners has all of the initiatives retailers need to thrive and make the most of new opportunities in the convenience market. This was the key message from A.F. Blakemore at this year’s SPAR Retail Show, themed ‘New Opportunities’.
The event, which was free to all Blakemore Trade Partners retailers, took place virtually on yesterday and was attended by 1,000 guests, including suppliers and retailers from across SPAR UK’s Meridian & Welsh Guild.
The conference explored the new opportunities that have been presented to SPAR retailers this year and how they can continue to react to the needs of local communities and customers with the help of initiatives from A.F. Blakemore.
The main message from AFB Group Commercial Managing Director Jerry Marwood to retailers was one of continuous investment and backing from A.F. Blakemore.
He explained: “It is important that we keep building our businesses to support you, and you keep building your businesses to give customers what they want.
“Next year is going to be as competitive as ever. Customers will want better value, better choice and better quality. They’ll want it delivered in a way that corporate businesses just can’t replicate, and that is our opportunity.
“Our investment statement is unique in the industry. Blakemore’s invests over 95% of its profits every year back into the organisation; it’s a commitment that our business is investing in yours.”
Speakers at the event told delegates of the company’s latest innovation in food-to-go, fresh meat and digital initiatives.
In October, A.F. Blakemore relaunched its Daily Deli food-to-go range for SPAR customers, rolling out new products for breakfast, lunch, tea and snacking. Significant investment has been made in developing healthy, vegan and vegetarian options as well as new flavours that capitalise on current food trends,
The company has also overhauled its meat category with the rollout of its County Bridge range to independent SPAR retailers. The County Bridge brand, which offers customers “high-quality value-for-money” fresh meat, has seen meat sales increase by more than 300% in the most successful stores.
A.F. Blakemore has also continued to evolve its digital offer at a consumer and business-to-business level. This year has seen the business embark on a new partnership with online home delivery platform Snappy Shopper. Marketing campaigns with advertising platform Cardlytics and navigational app Waze are also said to be engaging millions of customers with the SPAR brand online.
Meanwhile, a new online ordering website and app is currently being developed for SPAR retailers.
BTP Sales Director Louis Drake used the event to remind retailers of the new terms package that launched at last year’s SPAR Retail Show, providing higher overrider payments that they can take in advance to develop their stores or use in combination with other financing from the business. This, he explained, means that A.F. Blakemore delivers “the most flexible retail support package available within the marketplace”.
SPAR UK Managing Director, Louise Hoste, also underlined the strength of the SPAR symbol group, saying UK wholesale distributor sales grew by 3.39% in the tear to 30 April 2020.
