Marks & Spencer is investing £340m in an advanced automated food distribution centre which will open in 2029.
Marks & Spencer’s “landmark” new centre in Northamptonshire is expected to enable growth as the retailer seeks to double the size of its food business.
Spanning 1.3 million sq ft, the new facility will create 3,000 jobs and will feature automated cranes and robots.
M&S hopes the automation will deliver benefits such as operational efficiency and improved product availability on store shelves.
M&S Food managing director Alex Freudmann 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. By using the latest, proven automation, we are future-proofing both our business and UK retail logistics, as well as creating 1,000 jobs permanently on site and 2,000 during the construction phase.”
The new distribution centre is also expected to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating and will become Marks & Spencer’s flagship Plan A warehouse.
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