Initial operation commenced last year:
Marks & Spencer expands in Sri Lanka
Head of International Operations of Marks & Spencer UK on a brief
visit to the Country last week had extensive talks with representatives
of Global Park and RJV International to finalise the next phase of their
logistics operations in Sri Lanka.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) with an annual turnover of over Sterling Pounds
8 billion (US $ 16 billion) is a UK based retail giant with over 400
stores located throughout the UK and 150 stores worldwide including over
130 Franchise businesses operating in 35 countries.
M&S has already selected Global Park to house their Regional
Logistics Hub where currently M&S brand garments purchased by RJV
International from Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh are stored for onward
distribution to M&S outlet stores in UK based on their stock levels and
sales requirements.
This novel concept tried for the first time in the industry by M&S
was possible with the appointment of RJV International as their supplier
for all surplus garments for its outlet stores from factories
manufacturing for M&S brand in the Indian sub-continent and also with
the appointment of Global Park as the warehouse provider to facilitate
the project.
The initial operation commenced last year with RJV International
purchasing garments in Sri Lanka for M&S outlet stores.
Marks & Spencer moved to the next stage of the operation this year by
making a strategic decision to use the Global Park Complex to house
their regional logistics hub which began with the importation of
garments by RJV international from factories producing for M&S in India
and Bangladesh with necessary approvals from the Government of Sri
Lanka.
For the first time in history, an export consignment of garments was
shipped to M&S outlet stores, UK in May this year by consolidating
garments made in 3 different countries.
With the success of the Regional Hub that is now geared to handle
complex multi country consolidation, M&S is now planning to use this hub
to handle distribution to their international stores including franchise
stores located in Asia and Middle East.
The Logistics Hub in Sri Lanka is expected to service over 15
countries in Asia and Middle East by next year which is another first
for the country under this unique logistics concept that is being
handled by Global Park and RJV International exclusively for Marks &
Spencer.
Industry heavy weights such as Hidaramani, Brandix and MAS Holdings
are large direct suppliers to M&S and with the addition of this Regional
Logistics Hub, Sri Lanka will be an important base for Marks & Spencer. |