Gist records a bumper Christmas
Despite retailers hoping for an extended pre-Christmas spending frenzy, footfall and financial reports for the run-up to Christmas show that many consumers left their shopping until the last minute. But, as figures released today by leading logistics provider Gist show, once they began to shop they did it in style.
In Gist’s busiest ever ten day run-up to Christmas (December 15th- 24th) a record 5.45 million cases of food passed through six of Gist’s key depots – almost one million more than the same period in 2001.
On Gist’s single busiest day, Thursday 19th December, 737,000 cases were handled by the six depots, an increase of 26 per cent on the busiest day of Christmas 2001. Gist’s Crewe depot saw the largest increase year-on-year, with volume up 37 per cent on this day.
This huge increase in the volume handled by the Gist depots naturally had a knock-on effect on the number of vehicle deliveries made between 15th and 24th December. Over these ten days Gist vehicles from the six depots made 9,400 separate deliveries, more than 1,500 more than the previous year.
Martin Gwynn, Gist’s Managing Director, comments: “We have experienced a phenomenally busy Christmas period. This is largely a result of our customer’s organic growth and their subsequent order increases – not the usual sign of a consumer slow down!
“I am particularly pleased with the way that our depots have managed this busy period, maintaining high standards of customer service despite the massive increases in product volume. We are looking forward to sustaining these excellent service levels throughout 2003.”
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Notes to editors
Gist combines leading edge experience and expertise to transform supply chains through intelligent application of innovative leading edge technology, unique solutions tailored to customers’ strategies, managing change and embracing and enhancing the supply chain proposition. With industry specific experience, expertise and excellence, Gist’s solutions bring end-to-end visibility and implementation, from concept to delivery.
Gist, based in the United Kingdom, has its head office at Basingstoke in Hampshire. However, Gist’s 4,500 employees operate out of 28 locations, providing a full range of intellectual and asset-based business offering in the UK, continental Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America.
Gist’s customers (including Ocado, Marks & Spencer, British Airways, Carlsberg UK and Budgens) operate in a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors, including grocery, electronics, apparel and gas.
As part of the BOC Group, which serves two million customers in more than 50 countries, Gist also benefits from BOC’s global capability, synergy and scale.
To find out more about Gist, for photography or to arrange an interview with the Gist team please contact the Gist press office:
Michele Mervin
Tel: 01256 891111
Fax: 01256 891122
Email: michele.mervin@gistworld.com
