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Waterstone's picks distribution partner

30.08.07 Graeme Neill

Waterstone's new centralised distribution hub will be fully operational from 1st May next year. The 150,000 sq ft site will be based in Burton upon Trent, and Unipart Logistics has been appointed supply chain partner on a 10-year contract.

Unipart will provide warehousing and distribution for all of Waterstone's 325 stores as well as fulfilment for Waterstone's.com, which is currently handled by Bertrams.

Waterstone's has hired Rob Entwhistle--previously general manager of central distribution for Dixons Store Group--to manage the contract with Unipart.

Simon Blacklock, Waterstone's supply chain director, said the new distribution hub was a "very important step" in the development of Waterstone's supply chain. "It will enable stores and over 2,500 suppliers to communicate more efficiently and cost-effectively, as well as being more environmentally sound, as it will deliver a drastic reduction in the use of cardboard and packing material," he said.

Blacklock has previously mooted the possibility that once the centre is up and running, it could shift to firm sale on titles because unwanted books could be redirected to the stores that need them.

The new hub will send books to stores pre-sorted by section. Waterstone's will introduce new, re-usable palettes and boxes, which will be filled with "shelf-ready" stock and pushed straight onto the shop floor. The chain has stressed that savings will not be used to cut back on staff, but that staff will have more time to serve customers.

Unipart Logistics' other clients include Vodafone, Jaguar, Halfords, Homebase and Jessops. Part of the Unipart Group, it employs more than 3,000 people in 14 countries.

waterstone's Graeme Neill Unipart

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