Winter 06/07

Argos Direct has completed the implementation of a warehouse management solution from Manhattan Associates in its 650,000 sq ft distribution centre at Marsh Leys, Buckinghamshire, where it has replaced a legacy system.

Argos already uses the Manhattan system at its purpose-built Faverdale distribution centre near Darlington, which serves northern England and Scotland. The company plans introduce it at in its third warehouse, at Acton Gate, Staffordshire, in May 2007.

The Manhattan system works in conjunction with radio frequency technology from Psion Teklogix, and is already said to be bringing benefits in terms of reduced clerical work, enhanced operational efficiency, improved order accuracy levels and enhanced customer service.

On the subject, here are some nice statistics about Argos. It serves over 130 million customers a year through its stores, and takes four million customer orders either online or over the phone. The company expects to add around 30 stores per annum, and the network is expected to exceed 800 eventually. Its internet site is the second most visited internet retail site in the UK.