From Bags to Blenders

This is a book about success and how to achieve it. 

While there are many books about eminent retailers, From Bags to Blenders tells the story from a different angle – from the point of view of a supplier. 

Gordon Black’s career at Peter Black spanned over 40 years. He led a team with his brother which built a substantial business with sales of approximately £300 million and 3,000 employees. His revealing book faces up to the difficulties of supplying retailers today, and contrasts that with the close and fruitful relationship the Blacks enjoyed in the 1980s and 1990s with their main customer, Marks & Spencer. 

This fascinating and amusing book explains why the biggest challenge in building a successful company is the development of a culture of teamwork and passion for the business while, at the same time, avoiding arrogance and taking advice from those with experience. 

In Gordon’s opinion, exiting a business is as big a challenge as building a business. He pinpoints the different options and the pitfalls to be avoided, and emphasises the need for first-class products: ‘You can have the most modern factories and the best systems, but, without the right product, you’re dead!’