Al Futtaim Retail renews Marks & Spencer 3PL contract with GAC Logistics

Under the continuing arrangement, GAC Logistics will manage Marks & Spencer's distribution centre in Dubai and handle delivery to the global retailer's nine stores across five GCC countries, namely United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, including the largest Marks & Spencer store in the world outside the United Kingdom located within Dubai Festival City.

As part of its total supply chain solution, GAC also manages specific orders from each store which are processed in line with daily sales, prepares and delivers the stock by the following day. A comprehensive host of tailored value added services from suppliers are provided. GAC also supports Marks & Spencer with consultancy on store lading bay design and store stock rooms, sale pricing, shop fitting assembly, in-store merchandising and even in-store staff assistance during sale time.

GAC Dubai Managing Director Dan Hjalmarsson says that the company is investing more resources which demonstrate its commitment to key clients like Marks & Spencer.

"We are investing $3.6m in a specialised hanging garment system to support the future growth requirements with an infrastructure that meets their strict quality requirements, dedicated to the Marks & Spencer business."

Long-standing and strengthening partnership

GAC has been in partnership with Al Futtaim Retail since 1996.

Sebastian Thomas, Supply Chain Manager, Al Futtaim Retail Division says that the new long-term contract which makes GAC one of their main logistics partner is an affirmation of the company's relentlessly high service level over the years. GAC's contribution as a key supply chain partner was recently acknowledged with its "Service Excellence Award" in 2007.

"GAC has played a pre-dominant role in designing, developing and managing the supply chain for a number of our retail brands. The Marks and Spencer Supply Chan model is considered as one of the most efficient logistics solutions in the region."

With major expansion plans in the pipeline, Al Futtaim Retail values and expects the partnership with GAC to continue supporting its business growth, he adds.