Hunkemöller prefers small investments in robotisation to large automation projects. The retailer has been using JD.com's highly automated DC for several months and is clearly seeing the benefits of robots there.
So says head of e-commerce Marco van der Hulst in the latest edition of trade magazine RetailTrends. Van der Hulst prefers small and scalable automation. "It is nice if you can work more efficiently with relatively small automation investments. Small robots that fill shelves on a floor that does not necessarily need to be level are a better fit for our processes."
Since the end of last year, Hunkemöller has been outsourcing the fulfilment of its webshop to JD.com. Around a third of the orders on Hunkemöller.nl are processed in Venray. Hunkemöller says it clearly sees the benefits of robotics in Venray. JD.com would require a factor of three fewer people than Hellman, the retailer's logistics partner in Germany.
The lingerie chain is building a new distribution centre in Almere that will open its doors in 2023. Even after the opening of this location, JD.com in Venray will remain responsible for online orders.
Image: Hunkemöller's yet-to-be-built DC in Almere
