UK retailer Marks and Spencer today (May 08, 2008) launched the ‘M&S International Logistics Hub’ in Seeduwa, Sri Lanka, which is to start operations in June this year.This is the M&S’ second such hub in Asia, with one already operating in Hong Kong.

“This is very important for M&S overseas expansion and retail plans,” said Simon Doyle, the head of international operations of M&S, speaking at the launch.

Specialised logistics services, known as ‘multi-country consolidation’, are to be provided for M&S under a special arrangement with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.

M&S programme manager Kieran Donovan said the logistics hub is important in relation to the company’s recent entry into Indian retail through the partnership with Reliance_Industries of India.

“We are manufacturing in India but we are also entering the Indian retail market,” said Donovan. “This operation will provide a key part of logistics infrastructure to support our growth plans in South Asia.”
The M&S hub is located inside Global Park, a 400,000 square foot logistics complex operated by the Sri Lankan company Global Transportation and Logistics.

The M&S clothing will be stored inside warehouses at Global Park and will be re-distributed to M&S International Stores, mainly in Asia and the Middle East.

Global Park will provide warehousing and value-added services for M&S while another Sri Lankan company, RJV International, has been designated as its logistical partner.

Chandana Punchiheva, a director at RJV International said that the hub aims to distribute 5m garment pieces over a nine-month period.

M&S currently has around 260 international stores in 37 countries