New move boosts growth for fashion shoe firm
21st May 2010
Fashion shoe retailer Dune is strengthening its high street presence following the creation of a new distribution centre at Whetstone, Leicestershire.
Leading Leicester commercial property specialist Andrew and Ashwell has let 91,000 sq ft of warehouse space with recently converted offices at The Elms Depot, Cambridge Road, to the expanding high street label. In an off-market letting from transport company owner/landlord HW Coates, who retain use of part of the site, Dune has relocated warehousing and distribution operations previously operated by a third party logistics company in Milton Keynes, in the process creating 18 new jobs.
Dune acquired the Shoe Studio Group business in March 2009 and then became The Dune Group, encompassing multi-branded footwear and accessories over the course of the year and integrating both businesses. This involved relocating the SSG warehouse to Dune’s existing warehouse in Cambridge Road Leicester last July. Following the refit of the new larger warehouse and offices the whole Dune Group distribution operation has now been brought under one roof.
Roger Crooks, Dune Head of Distribution, said the move had facilitated further expansion into department stores as a concession business, as well as helping the growth of online operations.
“The ability to respond quickly to the demands of the fashion business is critical to our success and we believe an in-house operation enables us to achieve this.
“The economies of scale provide efficiencies and relocating the SSG operation from Milton Keynes to Leicester has enabled us to retain our experienced staff, whilst increasing the workforce locally and providing our own training.
“Leicester is also geographically important, as its central location enables store replenishment to all UK major conurbations on a ‘next day’ basis and England and Wales within a driver duty day.”
Malcolm Grayson, Partner at Andrew and Ashwell added:
“The Elms Depot offers high quality premises, as well as a
prime location, close to major road links, for Dune to improve their distribution operation. The take-up again shows why Leicestershire is often chosen by expanding firms for its convenient central location, enabling firms to successfully plan logistics.”
