UK online fashion dynamo plots US invasion with DHL

The third party logistics giant will carry out the operation from a new 1.1 million sq ft distribution centre, located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The location, expected to open in early 2023, will allow the company to offer next-day service to the New York City metro region, a key customer area for the fashion brand.

Boohoo supply chain director David James, says: “We have a loyal and growing customer base in the US and want to provide them with a faster and smoother service than we can currently offer from the UK. Investing in our distribution network in the US illustrates the confidence we have to grow our business in this important market.

“We chose DHL Supply Chain as our logistics partner because of its industry-leading expertise in managing highly complex e-commerce operations and its proven track record with successful startups in the space.

“Our inventory management is an extremely important element of our overall business and our commitment to a superior customer experience. We trust DHL Supply Chain to handle our operations at our new US site, leveraging their commitment to advanced digitalisation to ensure we meet our customers’ expectations.” 

“Although boohoo has been servicing the U.S. through its existing network in the UK since 2006, the company’s growing order volumes and customer demand on this side of the pond in recent years made a US-based distribution centre for direct-to-consumer fulfillment a necessity,” adds Kraig Foreman, president, eCommerce, DHL Supply Chain. 

“The new facility will reduce transportation costs, improve service, and drive greater agility and speed.”

DHL Supply Chain will hire 1,000 associates in its first year at the warehouse, with nearly 2,500 associates expected over the next three years.

DHL Supply Chain plans to introduce highly automated solutions, like an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) and a high-speed pouch sorter at the boohoo site in the next three years. These systems work together to put away and replenish inventory in addition to providing picking and pack sortation. This will be one of the first sites within DHL Supply Chain’s operations to feature this technology.