Spar

SPAR is the world’s largest food retail chain, trading through 20,000 stores in 30 countries across five continents. SPAR originated in the Netherlands in 1932. It was decided that the symbol for the company would be the firtree, for which the word is de Spar.

The original concept of SPAR was to bring independent retailers together and allow them to benefit from increased buying power and a strong brand. This core concept has become increasingly relevant in today’s highly competitive retail marketplace.

In the 1950’s, five wholesalers applied to SPAR International for the franchise to run SPAR in the UK. The proposal was accepted and in September, 1957, SPAR UK was officially launched.

SPAR UK
SPAR UK currently consists of six regional distribution centres, which supply goods and service to more than 2700 stores throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd supply stores in a zone known as the Central Meridian Guild. This covers a stretch of land from North Wales to East Anglia. It also reaches up to Lincolnshire and spreads as far south as the Thames Estuary.

The origins of A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd date back to 1917, when Arthur Blakemore opened a 350sq ft counter service store in Wolverhampton. A.F. Blakemore has grown considerably over the past century and now employs around 5,500 people with a turnover in excess of £700 million per year. Despite this expansion, the company remains a family run business and is now in its third generation of ownership.

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd has built its success upon a strong sense of community and commitment to its loyal workforce. The company will remain true to these traditional values as it moves into the ever-changing retail marketplace of the 21st century.

Click for the A F Blakemore Website