Spring 2008

Woolworths has rekindled a long-standing relationship with Zendor (now Zendor GSI Commerce), which is taking on nationwide fulfilment for three product groups, which it describes as pre-school, kitchen and living.

Woolworths' customers can order by various means - through its main web site, www.woolworths.co.uk, from its catalogue, and in-store via interactive kiosks. Zendor GSI Commerce will provide fulfilment for all these channels, as well as for Woolworths' order and collect in-store service.

 

The fulfilment operation is being run from Zendor's warehouse in Rochdale. Orders will be received via an integrated fulfilment system and despatched to meet Woolworths' delivery promise.

Woolworths has worked with Zendor since 2004, when the contractor helped it to extend and re-launch its online offer. At the time Zendor planned to introduce a 'robust and fully integrated fulfilment infrastructure'.

Later Woolworths took some of its fulfilment back in-house in a development accepted by Zendor as part of a natural evolutionary process. In a separate move, the retailer appointed Clipper group to handle fulfilment of distribution of half its 400,000-strong product range - mainly garments and toys.

Zendor GSI Commerce acknowledges its role as 'junior fulfilment partner', and says it will be linking seamlessly with Woolworths' existing fulfilment operations.

According to Andy Coveney, Woolworths' supply chain manager for what are termed MCR and Mainchain activities: 'Woolworths and Zendor GSI Commerce have a proven track record, and it made sense to work with Zendor on the new developments in the network.'

He adds: 'Zendor GSI Commerce are a *safe pair of hands' and we trust them implicitly to support future growth in our business.'