Wincanton has been awarded an initial three-year contract with Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, to provide eFulfilment, store replenishment and final mile home delivery services.

The Dobbies contract win reflects Wincanton’s reputation for high-quality services for multi-channel retailers, particularly in the home and gardens market. The agreement is also the latest evidence of Wincanton’s expanding role in the eCommerce marketplace, which is an important part of the Group’s focus on strategic growth markets.

Wincanton will create a supplier consolidation platform for Dobbies at its shared fulfilment centre in Wigan that will optimise in-store availability, reduce costs and improve sustainability. Wigan will also fulfil all direct to customer orders, with large products being delivered via Wincanton’s industry-leading, two-person home delivery network.

Wincanton’s services to Dobbies are strengthened by the Group’s W2 digital innovation programme, which includes initiatives in cloud-fulfilment systems and robotics to drive supply chain excellence.

James Wroath, Chief Executive Officer of Wincanton, said: "This new partnership demonstrates that we are delivering on our stated growth strategy, particularly in the area of Digital & eFulfilment. Taking advantage of the shift in consumer purchasing habits to online, this new contract with Dobbies showcases the resilience, breadth and agility of Wincanton’s capabilities."

Graeme Jenkins, CEO for Dobbies Garden Centres, said: "At Dobbies, we are focused on delivering the best possible customer experience, both in-store and online. Wincanton has a proven track record and we look forward to working in partnership with them."