M&S invests in new clothing and home distribution centre

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jan 17, 2018

Marks & Spencer is set to open a new 4965,000 sq ft Clothing & Home distribution centre in Welham Green in 2019 in a bid to make distribution cheaper and faster.

The move is part of a renewed interest in reviving the clothing & home categories at the British department store, following the departure of clothing chief Jo Jenkins last year.

M&S will transform the existing 495,000 sq ft site in Hertfordshire into a mechanised clothing distribution centre, serving 150 stores in the South East. Previously occupied by Tesco, the site will be operated by a third-party logistics supplier, employing over 500 people. 

Additionally, Marks & Spencer will close its Neasden distribution centre and transfer the work to other sites in the M&S network.

Gordon Mowat, Director of Clothing & Home Supply Chain & Logistics, said: “M&S is changing and we are transforming our stores and supply chain to better serve our customers. 

“The new site in Welham will deliver better service and availability for our customers and enable us to become a faster, more agile, lower cost retailer. The location has fantastic transport links and we’re looking forward to building a great operation in Hertfordshire.”

The Welham Green centre will be fitted out and tested during 2018 and is expected to start operations early next year. 

Marks & Spencer has a total of 19 distribution centres and warehouses, including large centres in Swindon, Castle Donington and Bradford.