Pret to adopt consolidated supply chain from 2016

High street giant Pret A Manger is to consolidate all products into one distribution partner in order to reduce food miles and simplify their supply chain from 2016.

The move, which launches on 9 January, will see Bidvest Logistics take over the direct distribution of all products to Pret A Manger's UK shops, having previously managed the frozen, ambient, meat and dairy food categories.

National fresh produce and dairy supplier Reynolds will continue to supply fruit, vegetables and salads to Pret, delivering into Bidvest Logistics.

Clive Schlee, Pret A Manger's chief executive, commented: "The decision to move to one distribution partner is a natural progression for Pret and we believe that Bidvest Logistics is well placed to provide this service. Reynolds has been supplying Pret since 1994, when our business had just a few shops. During this time, Reynolds has always delivered a dedicated level of service and outstanding quality of produce, sourced responsibly. Pret will continue to use fresh produce sourced from Reynolds in all of its UK shops."

Tony Reynolds, managing director at family business Reynolds, added: "While Reynolds will no longer be delivering directly to each Pret shop, importantly our business will continue to provide Pret with the same quality of fresh produce they have been used to over the last 21 years. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Pret well in their next stage of growth and we look forward to continuing as their greengrocer of choice over the coming years."

Pret A Manager was named the foodservice business operators most admire, according to a "brands to watch" survey conducted by leisure consultancy Horizons early this year. The Ones to Watch survey said that Pret A Manger, which boasts 350 shops worldwide in the UK, the US, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai, was revered for its consistency and high standards. The company serves more than 300,000 customers each day.