Following the appointment of a new Prime Minister and a renewed focus on leaving the EU, we would like to update you on our continued preparations for a possible no-deal exit on 31st October 2019.
As you’ll recall from our previous communications, we made significant preparations for a 29th March Brexit, including:
Expanding the capacity within our network
Securing additional 3rd party storage space
Stockbuilding 11,000 extra pallets of product
Identifying potential substitutions for the most at-risk products
Reviewing contracts and customs declarations procedures with suppliers and hauliers to ensure the continued flow of goods
Since then, we have continued planning to ensure that we are able to maintain our high levels of service to customers:
Releasing our previous contingency stock due to expiry dates and seasonal menu variations, and re-analysing our range to confirm which products we need to stockpile ahead of the October exit
Securing additional 3rd party storage space and commencing contingency stock ordering, which will come into our warehouses in September
Reviewing our European freight and customs relationships again to ensure the smoothest passage possible across the border, and re-engaging with European suppliers to ensure they have made the necessary preparations for exporting their products to the UK
As we pointed out in our last communication back in April and has since been widely reported in the press, an October exit provides additional challenges around Christmas trading and fresh produce, and these have been factored in to our updated planning.
As before, our Brexit strategy is to use our scale and in-depth preparations to minimise disruption to our valued customers in this uncertain time.
I am pleased to say we have the same level of confidence that we will be as prepared for a hard exit on 31st October - should it happen - despite the additional Christmas stock build complexity. We will be sure to update you with any new developments over the coming weeks. In the meantime, should you have any concerns or queries, please do get in touch with your account manager.
