LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - British retailer Marks &
Spencer will increase its online capacity by building a
new automated online warehouse in its existing distribution
centre in Bradford, northern England, it said on Monday.
M&S said the expansion would create 300 new jobs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards more
digital shopping, with M&S's online sales growing 34% in the
first half of its 2020-21 year.
The Bradford site currently delivers both clothing and food
to M&S stores. The new investment will utilise existing vacant
space within the centre to create a new online warehouse for
M&S.com.
The expansion means that by Christmas 2021 M&S will serve
online customers from its Castle Donington warehouse in central
England, from Bradford and through its stores which act as
micro-fulfilment centres.
(Reporting by James Davey, editing by Elizabeth Piper)