M&S opens new distribution centre in Castle Donington

The new site will handle all orders placed through www.marksandspencer.com– be that through PC, mobile, tablet or online orders placed in store – and will be a national distribution centre for M&S stores. The first customer orders started moving through the new facility last week and during peak trading times it will process up to a million orders a day.

It is fully automated and, at 900,000 sq ft and 25 metres high, it is one the biggest centres of its kind in the UK. An employability scheme for people with disabilities and health conditions - Marks & Start Logistics - is one of the recruitment channels being used at the new site, helping to create a great social working environment.

Castle Donington is a major part of a transformation programme that will create a fast, agile and flexible supply chain for M&S. The programme started in 2009 and will run through to 2015/16 and includes building a new multi-channel platform to host www.marksandspencer.com. When the new website launches next year, combined with the modern e-commerce distribution facility in Castle Donington, it will offer customers better availability online and the ability to order products late in the day for next day delivery.

The transformation programme also includes investment in better buying and management systems for clothing, home and gift products and a move to source more products direct from suppliers.

Marc Bolland, Chief Executive at M&S, said: “Castle Donington is one of the most modern, fully automated distribution centres in the UK. As we are recruiting a significant proportion of employees through our Marks & Start Logistics scheme for people with disabilities, this investment in the UK is a unique combination of state-of-the-art technology and a great social working environment.”

Alan Stewart, Chief Finance Officer at M&S, 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.

"Our new supply network, alongside new systems and a best-in-class web platform will create a more efficient M&S able to deliver our products to customers in the right place at the right time, whether they’re at home or on the high street. We’re extremely proud of Castle Donington, it’s amongst the best of its kind in the world and our focus is now on delivering the rest of our modernisation programme.”

Marks & Spencer