British retail major Marks & Spencer (M&S) has unveiled a new distribution center in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England, as part of a plan to emerge as an international, multi-channel retailer.
The 900,000ft² new fully automated distribution center can handle all orders placed through www.marksandspencer.com and will be a national distribution center for M&S stores.
Castle Donington is a part of a transformation program that will create a fast, agile and flexible supply chain for M&S, company said.
The site, combined with the launch of a new in-house web platform next year, will offer customers better availability online and the ability to order products late in the day for next day delivery.
The site will have a capacity to stock 16 million products and process a million items a day.
M&S chief finance officer Alan Stewart said, "We are transforming our supply chain operations to make them fit for the future of M&S as a leading international, multi-channel retailer."
M&S chief executive Marc Bolland said, "Castle Donington is one of the most modern, fully automated distribution centres in the UK."
The UK retailer offers clothing, home and foods products. It has over 700 UK stores, plus an expanding international business.
