• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Monday April 17 2023
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Logistics firm Wincanton lands major contracts with Sainsbury’s and New Look

Chippenham-based logistics firm Wincanton has landed major contracts with super market Sainsbury’s and high street fashion retailer New Look.

The five-year Sainsbury’s deal will see Sainsbury’s move transport services for most of its operations, including Sainsbury’s and Argos, and its central transport functions, to Wincanton.

Wincanton will also welcome some 2,000 new colleagues from Sainsbury’s and its partners to join its 1,400 employees already dedicated to transport services.

Wincanton and Sainsbury’s will also work collaboratively to bring advanced technology to the operations, alongside upgrading the fleet. This investment will support delivery of Sainsbury’s carbon reduction targets by 2035.

Wincanton CEO James Wroath said: “We’re delighted to have been selected as Sainsbury’s trusted transport partner of choice. The announcement is testament to the high level of service and innovation that we deliver consistently, and further strengthens our long-standing partnership.

“We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the Wincanton team and continuing to deliver exceptional service to Sainsbury’s.”

Meanwhile, the firm has been selected to manage all national transport operations for New Look.

The new, three-year contract, which begins in July 2023, will see Wincanton provide vital, national transport services from the retailer’s national distribution centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme to replenish stock at New Look’s 400 stores situated in towns and cities across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Wincanton will also support New Look in deliveries for click-and-collect services, offering customers the flexibility in how they shop, as well as driving footfall to stores.

This channel has seen continued growth at the retailer in recent years, with an increase in Click and Collect as a mix of online order types improving from 17 per cent in early 2021 to 31 per cent thanks to recent investments.

Rachel Gilbey, MD of general merchandise at Wincanton, commented: “We are excited to be working with New Look, one of the best-known retailers in the UK.

“In choosing Wincanton to be its partner New Look will benefit from our unrivalled retail delivery expertise, operational excellence and our industry-leading Winsight technology.

“This new, three-year contract, is testament to our strong reputation in building long-lasting partnerships with our valued customers, and we look forward to working with New Look in the years to come.”

Becky Pallas, distribution centre general manager, New Look, added: “We’ve been a core part of British high streets for over 50 years, serving and inspiring thousands of customers each week with that New Look feeling.

“Alongside our fantastic store estate, in recent years we’ve accelerated our eCommerce business and so it is only right that we have a partner like Wincanton that can expertly support us with both elements of our supply chain operations.

“We’re looking forward to working with Wincanton as we continue to grow and become a truly omni-channel retailer.”