Angela Morrison, has joined Debenhams from Direct Line as IT and supply chain director, tasked with leading the changes to make its supply chain customer-led rather than process-driven.
In a trading update the group said it had now completed the transition to a single warehouse management system, and begun a consultation on closure of Northampton distribution centre and ten regional warehousing facilities.
It is introducing direct-to-floor distribution to improve replenishment time from eight days to two days; and it is also reducing stock options by some ten per cent to declutter stores.
These moves are all part of a strategic initiative, Debenhams Redesigned, which was unveiled in April to drive growth through social shopping.
“We are making progress in implementing our exciting and ambitious new strategy, Debenhams Redesigned, which will make us the destination for Social Shopping. We have already started to deliver changes that will improve service for our customers and simplify and focus our operations,” said chief executive Sergio Bucher.
“As industry data has confirmed, May was a tough month for retailers and we continue to see volatility in trading week to week. As a result we are focused on delivering cost control and self-help through our “Fix the Basics” plan. We continue to build good foundations for longer term growth at Debenhams by becoming a Destination, Digital and Different.”
