Boots and fashion retailer TK Maxx have teamed up to generate supply chain efficiencies with deliveries to their stores on the Isle of Man.

The lorry-sharing tie-up is forecast to save 30,000 road miles – the equivalent of 36 tonnes of carbon – in its first year.

Boots UK sustainable development manager Ian Barnes said: “It’s a win-win for both companies and for the environment.”

Barnes added that the health and beauty chain is hoping to repeat the success of the project with tie-ins to reach other “far-flung” destinations.

Boots is in discussion with a number of retailers to explore opportunities in the Republic of Ireland, the Southwest, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight.

Under the terms of its partnership with TK Maxx, Boots pays the discount retailer for the use of spare space on its lorries travelling to the Isle of Man. The operation is active five days a week.

Barnes said: “One of the key considerations is to make sure that it’s actually space that would otherwise run empty and that it’s available all the time. Selling things like over the counter medicines – it’s important they get to the stores on time. It has to be done on a formal basis.”

Separately, electricals group DSGi is in the early stages of discussion with furniture giant Ikea about collaborating on supply chain initiatives.

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