WHSmith appointed The Logistics Business for a high level review of operations in their three distribution centres (Birmingham, Dunstable and Swindon), with the objective of identifying opportunities for improvement which would then be highlighted for further development. The commercial objectives were to make changes and enhancements that would reduce cost whilst maintaining service levels.

The scope covered all activities in the D.C.s, from goods-in, through put-away, replenishment and picking to goods-out. This included the way in which the operations interfaced with trunking and the effect on outbound vehicle fill.

The review also included how orders were released to distribution centre operations, the pick frequency, and the levels of reserve stock and forward pick-face stock.