Appleby Westward, SPAR’s regional distributor for south west of England, said it has seen record volumes for March through its warehouses since the start of the coronavirus crisis in the UK.
Growth in volume went over 100 percent on most days throughout March, affecting supply across various product categories and ranges.
“We have been working flat out with our suppliers to get stock into the warehouse and straight out to our stores as quickly as possible,” said Joe Dooley, trading director.
The company, which serves nearly 300 SPAR stores, has brought in extra vehicles and temporary staff, in addition to a newly bought articulated vehicle to fetch goods direct from suppliers to Saltash.
“We do not traditionally run articulated trucks but when it comes to collecting goods in large quantities there’s no better vehicle,” said Del Phillips, logistics director. “This vehicle has become an important part of our efforts to keep the region’s SPAR stores’ shelves filled with essential convenience items.”
“I am proud of our service levels throughout the crisis, with very few delayed deliveries, and this is a testimony to the teams we have working for us, without whom we would certainly not be able to deliver the current level of service,” Phillips added.
Appleby Westward is currently in the middle of a £1 million fleet modernisation programme, replacing its entire fleet of nine 26-tonne DAF delivery vehicles. The first three have been delivered with completion of the remainder by July.
