T&S Stores has dropped Palmer & Harvey McLane subsidiary Snowking as its frozen foods supplier and signed up with Nisa-Today's in a £75m deal. T&S buying and marketing director Geoff Purdy would not comment on the specific reasons for the switch, but said, "some were commercial, some were about service". "Basically, Nisa-Today's offers us a better sales opportunity with a service and range better suited to our requirements at this stage." Chief executive Jim McCarthy said the switch was "not about being dissatisfied with Snowking but about being excited by the prospects that Nisa-Today's has to offer". The supply deal covers all frozen lines except impulse ice cream, which is supplied by Wall's. Chilled goods are supplied by North Wales firm Country Rose. Nisa-Today's frozen foods MD John Sharpe said the deal was "a massive endorsement for the Nisafreeze operation. "We look forward to working with T&S in the future to maximise the benefits for both parties." The contract covers T&S's 883 convenience stores trading under the One Stop and Day & Nite fascias. Following a successful trial selling Iceland branded frozen products in four One Stop outlets, T&S is making progress on talks with several parties about setting up further partnerships to sell rivals' own brands in product areas where T&S is traditionally weak, such as prepared salads and ready meals. Collectpoint's recent deal with QVC to drive volume through its network of convenience stores should provide T&S with some "fantastic data to see whether e-fulfilment is a goer or not," added McCarthy (The Grocer, April 28, p4). {{NEWS }}

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