M&S to invest £340m in advanced automated food distribution centre
M&S is to invest a landmark £340 million in its food supply chain through the development of a new automated national distribution centre.
The retailer said the move will help it to achieve its ambition of doubling the size of its food business.
Situated at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, the 1.3 million square foot facility will feature advanced automation to significantly enhance operational efficiency and improve on-shelf product availability.
With the new site expected to open in 2029, it will create over 2,000 jobs in the construction phase and around 1,000 permanent roles when it is fully operational. These will include driving, logistics, management and more technical roles such as automation technicians.
Subscribe to TRBAlex Freudmann, managing director at M&S Food, said: “We’re transforming M&S into a destination for the weekly shop and modernising our supply chain is central to that ambition.
“This investment will boost capacity for future growth, lower our cost to serve over the long-term, and improve product availability – ensuring customers find the right products in the right place at the right time.
“Our new site will strengthen our network and help us get ahead of the volume curve as we build a bigger, better food business.”
The announcement follows news earlier in the year that M&S will open a new 390,000 square foot distribution centre at Avonmouth in Bristol, serving stores in the Midlands, South-west England and South Wales.
