Gist has signed an unspecified extension to its five-year old contract with Starbucks to provide UK in-bound, storage, order processing and delivery-to-store services.

As part of the renewal Gist will open a national DC in Coventry next month (September), which it says will enhance delivery schedules, reduce its environmental impact and unlock further synergy opportunities for Gist and its customers.

Steve Belke, Starbucks vice-president for EMEA supply chain operations, said: “Our partnership with Gist over the last five years has enabled a flexible and cost-effective supply chain operation, allowing Starbucks to continue to grow in the UK.”

The two parties began working together in 2011, with Gist replacing three separate firms that ran ambient distribution; milk deliveries and chilled goods supplies for the coffee chain.