Improving Supply Chain Efficiency - Debenhams U.K.

Customer Profile

Debenhams Retail PLC is a leading multi-category retailer in the UK, with presence in product categories, such as womenswear, menswear, homeware health and beauty. The company operates primarily in the UK and Ireland. Debenhams has a brand portfolio of approximately 55 own brands, such as Mantaray, Maine New England, Red Herring and Thomas Nash. It is headquartered in London, UK and employs 25,000 people.

The Customer’s Challenge

To realise their Supply Chain ambitions, Debenhams required an Air Freight provider with the vision to design and implement a programme that would optimise the time-definite delivery of their products. A Partner who would ensure reliable inbound Air Freight movements of both hanging garments and flat pack garments from a range of suppliers, whilst managing the challenge of peak season capacity variations.

Agility’s Solution

In order to accommodate Debenhams hanging garment requirement, Agility contracted the build and design of a dust free hanging garment facility within their existing operation close to London Heathrow airport. The location was a key factor in ensuring the time sensitive deadlines were met for store availability, whilst the integration in to an existing facility with airline pallet breakdown equipment ensured the required cost benefits were delivered.

A dedicated team of Agility personnel was established to manage and oversee the supply of products from point of order. Through direct access to Debenhams web based order management system, Agility ensures that full visibility of products is available at SKU level throughout the supply chain.

The partnership has since evolved and Agility have ensured that key performance measurements have been established and met, and that ongoing process improvement initiatives are high on the agenda during our regular business reviews.

The Benefit to Debenhams U.K.

"We are pleased to report that the implementation and integration of Agility Logistics into our supply chain has been one of the smoothest transitions we have experienced. This has clearly been achieved through the professional and committed approach of the highly experienced personnel that Agility Logistics employ. They quickly established a good working knowledge of Debenhams Retail PLC and have been responsible for offering proactive beneficial solutions to any challenges that have arisen."

Steve Bowkis
Head of Imports/Exports
Debenhams U.K.

Special Services for Debenhams U.K.

• A purpose built Garments on Hangers store at our London Heathrow facility
• Visibility of inventory
• Management of Aircraft/Vessel capacity during seasonal volume peaks
• Supply Chain Audit service identifying process enhancements
• Customs Expertise