Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced a conditional deal to acquire a new 437,000ft² fully automated fashion distribution centre in Lichfield.
The former ASOS site will become operational as part of the M&S network in 2027 and will reportedly employ 600 people, expanding the M&S fashion, home and beauty business.
To this end, the new site will increase the company’s capacity to deliver more of M&S fashion faster, with the long-term goal the doubling of its online fashion business.
M&S managing director for fashion, home and beauty, John Lyttle, said: “As we transform M&S Fashion, Home and Beauty, our ambition is to double online sales.
“To achieve this and serve our customers faster, more efficiently and with better availability, our 24/7 distribution network needs more capacity.
“We’ve always said that we’ll deliver our transformation with highly disciplined capital investment, always mindful of spending shareholder money wisely.
“This acquisition does just that, delivering tangible business benefits that move our transformation forward, at a much lower cost compared to a new build option.”
