Competition in the cash and carry sector stepped up a notch this week with the surprise acquisition of a seventh depot by AF Blakemore. The company has acquired for an undisclosed sum south Wales based I Mogford & Sons, which has an annual turnover of more than £10m. Both companies are members of the Landmark buying group. West Midlands based AF Blakemore has expanded rapidly in recent years, but solely in its Spar business where it is the UK's largest wholesaler and owns nearly 200 stores. Chairman Peter Blakemore said "This acquisition demonstrates my confidence in the cash and carry sector." He added: "For the past five to 10 years we have concentrated on establishing ourselves in the c-store sector, as a Spar wholesaler and with our Tates retail division. "But I'm confident there is a good future in cash and carry for professional operators. The cash and carry market is still a huge market with a good customer base of independent retailers and catering customers." Blakemore said that he would welcome further opportunities for cash and carry acquisitions. Mogford has a 37,000sq ft depot close to the M4 in Newport, Gwent, and serves more than 2,500 retail and catering customers. It had been managed by Arthur and Roger Mogford and their children Karen, Amanda and Paul. Blakemore sales and marketing director Chris Rose commented: "Mogford has provided a first-class service to retailers and caterers in south Wales for many years. "Blakemore plans to build on this success for both cash and carry and delivered customers through its customer care programme, experience in areas of catering, non foods, grocery and alcohol, and by utilising the increased buying power of the group for the benefit of its customers." {{NEWS }}

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