SPAR Scotland wholesaler CJ Lang & Son is tapping into the delivery resources of foodservice operator Brakes in order to help it manage the current spike in demand for food.
With demand increasing in SPAR Scotland’s 300 convenience stores, CJ Lang said will start utilising Dundee-based Brakes’ drivers and vehicles to enable it to increase current delivery and logistics capacity.
Colin McLean, CEO of CJ Lang & Son said: “We have access to a constant supply of food and drink products from our warehouse as we continue to experience a huge increase in orders from our SPAR stores.
“Our logistics operation is running smoothly, our warehouse team and drivers have been tremendous in maintaining this constant supply.
“To increase delivery capacities to our 300 SPAR stores across Scotland, we have decided to work with local Dundee-based foodservice operator Brakes Scotland, who will provide us with additional transport support. These drivers will support our existing core team of drivers who are doing a fantastic job.”
Brakes has suffered a major hit to its foodservice supply business after the government ordered all restaurants and pubs to close. Other foodservice wholesalers such as Bidfood and JJ Foodservice have been diversifying their business models to sell direct to consumers to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.
Meanwhile, Brakes and Bidfood are among several companies working with DEFRA on a scheme that will prioritise food deliveries to some of the 1.5m people deemed by the authorities to be vulnerable during the outbreak.
NAM Implications:
- The current crisis is causing the formation of temporary alliances…
- …some of which will continue in some form afterwards.
- These secondary knock-ons need to be factored into future trade strategies.
- i.e. lockdown is revealing surplus, overlap and duplication that will be worked out of the demand-supply equation…
- …possibly forever…
