Logistics specialist Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK is providing fashion retailers with dependable logistics solutions and helping them to thrive in a rapidly changing market.
The UK is one of the world’s largest fashion markets and home to industry leaders such as Next, ASOS and Marks and Spencer. This year, UK fashion market revenue is expected to reach £60.1bn, and in 2026 it’s predicted to jump up to £66.9bn1.
Since the rise of e-commerce, the fashion industry has been growing at a faster rate than ever. In this era of constant growth being adaptable is key, and as the sector continues to evolve, Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK is on hand to provide retailers with efficient logistics solutions and control of the supply chain, as well as offer expertise and advice.
Rhenus has grown to become a reputable brand in the fashion industry after working with retailers for over 30 years, handling hundreds of millions of garments per annum.
To celebrate its strong relationship with the industry and extend a helping hand to potential fashion clients, Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK is relaunching its successful Always in Fashion campaign.
Always in Fashion outlines how the logistics provider’s core values, such as service, value and a human-led approach, will always be ‘on trend’, and showcases its innovation in fashion logistics.
During the ongoing shift in the market, global brands and high-street retailers are finding that consumer trends are changing, with many shoppers moving away from visiting shopping centres to making online purchases from the comfort of their own homes, turning their bedrooms into changing rooms.
This boom in e-commerce and online shopping has resulted in brands having to deal with a higher rate of returned items, sometimes up to 40%. In response, retailers Zara, Boohoo, Next, In The Style and Uniqlo have begun adding additional costs to returns, meaning UK customers can no longer send unwanted items back to retailers free of charge.
Alongside having to cope with more returns than ever before, retailers are also more focused on sustainability. The drive to be eco-friendly and recycle fashion items, as opposed to bolstering the fast fashion industry, is growing more prominent.
Many consumers are now specifically looking for brands that are conscious of their environmental impact, that are working to achieve carbon neutrality and, in the long term, become carbon positive.
Rhenus is helping retailers combat both these issues, by offering bespoke and reliable services, the assurance of speed to market, innovation and efficiency, all from environmentally friendly warehouses.
Two brand-new, sustainable warehouses are currently being built in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, which will be certified BREEAM Outstanding upon completion. Solar panels, air source heat pumps and electric car charging points are being installed to provide Rhenus with renewable energy and ensure the development is climate positive, helping customers to achieve their own carbon zero goals.
Harry Wheelhouse, International Sector Manager at Rhenus, said:
“Rhenus is performing exceptionally well globally, particularly for clients in the fashion sector. The UK has a very developed market in terms of fashion, which means there is great potential for clients to benefit from a wide range of third-party resources to enhance the customer experience.
“Fashion is about legacy for us. We have been supporting those in the fashion sector for many years, which has resulted in us being able to offer a tailored service that caters to each retailer’s precise needs.”
Rhenus’ long-term commitment to the fashion sector demonstrates its understanding of the industry’s fast pace and specialist requirements, as well as its understanding of its customers.
As a result, the third-party logistics supplier is able to provide the necessary flexibility and expertise needed to meet consumers’ demands, especially during peak seasons.
Harry Wheelhouse continued:
“At Rhenus, we’re on hand to provide retailers with all our support and expertise. After working in the fashion industry and with high-profile brands for over 30 years, we’ve acquired all the specialist knowledge needed to ensure our customers’ operations and supply chains run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
“We have a team of highly experienced colleagues who are fully equipped to deal with strict requirements, with effective procedures in place to ensure quality is maintained and deadlines are met.
“The ongoing e-commerce boom is a key moment for fashion brands to look to third-party logistics suppliers and find a way to secure their place as the retailer of choice in a demanding, digital world.”
To find out how Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK can help your business, telephone 01455 200700 or email wslutterworth@rhenus.com
1 fashiondiscounts.uk/fashion-industry-statistics/