Feature, Freight News, Logistics


DP World set for another Number One as it gears up for Record Day

[ April 17, 2026   //   ]

DP World says it is preparing to handle a record volume of vinyl at its Bicester warehouse as the UK gears up for Record Store Day tomorrow (Saturday, 18 April).

It expects to ship over 210,000 vinyl records shipped from Bicester – the UK’s largest physical music distribution hub – on the Day, which will see some 230 individual releases distributed to stores nationwide.

In 2025, DP World handled 8 million vinyl records, a new annual high and an increase of more than one million year-on-year, bringing the total number shipped from Bicester to over 15 million since it opened in 2023.

In the final quarter of 2025 alone, more than 7 million records, CDs and other music formats passed through the warehouse, including nearly 3 million vinyl records.

DP World’s vice president for contract logistics in North Europe, Angela Howard, said: “Record Store Day is a moment for the music industry to celebrate the record shops we serve and the enduring popularity of vinyl and physical formats. At DP World’s Bicester operation, our team brings real passion and pride to supporting this moment, working alongside more than 80 autonomous picking robots to ensure hundreds of releases reach stores nationwide on time.

“We’re proud to play a role in supporting artists and independent retailers, while contributing to the industry’s long-term growth.”

Kim Bayley, chief executive, the digital entertainment and retail association, ERA, added: “Record Store Day is the single, most important day in the calendar for independent record shops in the UK and is bigger than Christmas, so DP World is fundamental to all UK retailers getting physical products in their stores. Thanks to the Bicester operations, DP World has managed to re-invigorate the physical redistribution process such that retailers are able to service their customers creating the foundation for future growth.”

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