For the last 18 months Walmart has been consolidating two distribution centers into one new state-of-the-art fashion and apparel distribution center. The new 1.25 million-square-foot facility will reside in Bentonville, Arkansas.
The new center is just one of six warehouses focused on apparel for the company. According to Talk Business & Politics, the warehouse will serve 452 stores across 15 states and will employ 600 people.
Walmart has been vamping its apparel lines, adding new e-commerce brands to the mix to entice the younger generation of shoppers. The more efficient warehouse should provide for Walmart's need for several years.
In addition, the new center will feature some of the latest equipment in apparel distribution, including a next-generation shoe sorter and a high-velocity apparel sorter. Walmart is committed to leading retail innovation in every aspect of its business. By merging the two distribution centers, the company is able to create synergies that support lower costs by ensuring freight is moved faster and with better quality in full trucks, Talk Business & Politics reports. It has 82 receiving and 62 shipping doors with parking that can accommodate more than 1,000 trailers on the 120-acre site.
Operations will be split into an area that serves shoes and one that handles apparel and a limited amount of bulky items. There is also a de-casing area where workers unpack the boxes of shoes and sort to fill orders for specific stores. According to Talk Business & Politics, 40 percent of the warehouse is dedicated to shoes.
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