Bradford logistics firm announces new three-year deal with online retailer Stores Direct

Expect Distribution, the Bradford-based logistics company, has signed a three-year contract to manage warehousing and distribution for Fast Track 100 Company, Stores Direct.

Stores Direct is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business which retails stoves, fireplaces, ranges, garden and bathroom furniture through its websites stovesareus.co.uk, fireplacesareus.co.uk and bathroomsareus.co.uk.

The business will be using Expect’s end-to-end warehousing and distribution service to store products, receive orders from consumers, pick and then deliver direct to a residential address.

The new contract is the culmination of an eight year partnership in which Expect has has been a key part of Stores Direct stock control, warehousing and distribution for the past eight years.

A number of Expect Distribution’s trucks will be liveried in Stores Direct’s main consumer-facing brands stovesareus.co.uk and fireplacesareus.co.uk.

Neil Rushworth, managing director of Expect Distribution said: “We’re delighted to be taking our partnership with Stores Direct to the next level. They have been a customer for many years and we’ve enjoyed a terrific working relationship and this was the next natural step for both of us to take.

Dave Duffy, managing director of Stores Direct, added: “Our relationship with Expect goes beyond just picking and delivering our products; they have been a key link in our supply chain.

“Their stock control and allocation systems integrate seamlessly with our online order systems which means our websites show real-time stock availability when they shop.

“This is absolutely crucial for us to maintain revenue levels and helps us deliver industry-leading customer service. Many of our business decisions are based on KPIs and Expect provides comprehensive management information for us to make quick and informed decisions.”