M&S is building a new automated online warehouse

The reengineering of M&S’s supply chain, including the extension of Bradford to permanently improve online capacity, is an important enabler to M&S’s MS2 division.

Under MS2, M&S is setting itself up to best digitally serve shoppers in the future, including reflecting the shift to online shopping driven by the pandemic (M&S online sales grew +34% in the first half of the financial year, with app downloads in 2020 up over 200% and Sparks members now at over 10 million).

Bradford currently delivers both Clothing & Food to M&S stores in partnership with logistics experts XPO.

The build is currently underway with the aim to be operational for Christmas 2021.

Stephen Langford, Director of M&S.com said: “Whilst it’s exciting our stores have reopened, growing our online business has never been more important and part of that is a behind the scenes network which means we can serve our customers as efficiently as possible. Building Bradford is a key way we’re setting ourselves up for a more digital future at M&S under the banner of MS2.”