UK online retail sales reported a year-on-year growth of +6.3% in October 2019* with people increasingly looking to make purchases conveniently at the click of a button and for many businesses that comes with seasonal pressure points.

Sportswear International (SWI) is a leading provider of children’s school clothing, used to selling through outlet stores and on the high street but it wasn’t long before they shifted their focus onto e-commerce. Like every other online retailer, they had to react quickly to future proof their business and keep up with customer demand.

SWI expect volumes to rise to very significant peaks across the summer and this huge surge in seasonal purchase behaviour puts a lot of pressure on them to process orders efficiently and ensure replacements are sent out as quickly as possible. During this time, SWI are operational 24 hours a day for an 8 week period.

CopriSystems were initially briefed to design an additional temporary building that could accommodate overspill at busy times and support their growth forecast. However this soon became an essential extension required to cope with the constant filtering of goods in and out and maintain continuous work-flow through the main warehouse. Additional racking also allowed for more storage space so SWI could be prepared with increased stock levels. This helped to alleviate the pressure from the Operations team who need to ensure that the myriad of orders are picked and packed accurately.

Positioned to the side of the main warehouse, the site was originally uneven dead space so CopriSystems undertook the necessary groundworks and improved accessibility. This involved making an opening in the main building by removing cladding, purlins, bracing bars and installing a structural support system with insulated sectional door to match the rest of the aesthetics.

As the work evolved, so too did the brief and CopriSystems were asked to design a smoking shelter that blended in seamlessly with the rest of the structure but would give staff a designated space away from the front gates and out of customer view. CopriSystems were also instructed to carry out on-the-spot general maintenance and resolve a Health & Safety issue that was raised at the time. All this work was carried out during SWI’s peak season with minimal disruption to the retailer.

CopriSystems’ structures have never been more relevant in the world of e-commerce. Multi-use buildings that are quick to deploy can better meet the needs of organisations who must respond to sharp and unexpected peaks in customer activity as well as the longer-term accelerated levels of growth.

According to SWI’s Commercial Director, the temporary extension measuring just under 4,000 sq ft. gave them the flexibility to transform this space into a different working layout every day, enabling the company to cope with the challenges it faced across this dynamic period.

*IRMG-Cap Gemini Index

CopriSystems

w: www.coprisystems.com

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