‘Our aim is to build lasting partnerships with our SPAR members. We will work hard to provide quality products and to give excellent service at reasonable prices. We will continually strive to develop a business environment where we and our SPAR partners can successfully grow together.’
 

James Hall & Co. (Southport) Limited traces its roots back to 1863 when founder James Hall opened a bacon cutting business and retail shop in Southport, Lancashire. The business prospered and James Hall began to supply other shops with his products, so began the wholesale business, which was the precursor of today’s modern company.

By the 1950’s, the third generation of family directors – Stuart, Stanley and Philip Hall had assumed control and the company was operating from two warehouses, one in Southport and another in Preston. However, in 1966 the two operational bases were consolidated into a single new warehouse on Blackpool Road, Preston.
 

In 1956, the company was among the first of five distributors to be instrumental in introducing SPAR to the UK. By 1986 the company had expanded its operation to cover the whole of the North of England. James Hall & Co. services SPAR outlets from its warehouse which is divided into four main areas – fresh chilled foods, frozen foods, ambient grocery and a large food manufacturing and processing area.

In 1997 SPAR UK and NAAFI entered into a trading partnership to supply goods to British Service personnel in the United Kingdom. As part of this partnership, the company supplies products to NAAFI retail store in Germany.

The company remains a family business. Ian Hall is the Chairman, and his brother Andrew Hall is the Managing Director.

From its earliest beginnings the business philosophy of the company has been to provide a comprehensive, quality service at competitive prices. The company is also accredited with ISO 9002 quality assurance standard.