Gist
Gist Limited is a UK temperature-controlled contract logistics provider and wholly-owned Marks & Spencer subsidiary, operating the UK's largest cold-chain transport fleet. It delivers daily from a national network of distribution centres to 1,000+ M&S Food stores and serves Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Morrisons and other retailers and food manufacturers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersBasingstoke, United Kingdom
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Gist does
Gist Limited is a UK-headquartered, temperature-controlled contract logistics provider and wholly-owned subsidiary of Marks and Spencer Group plc (acquired from Linde in July 2022). The company operates the largest temperature-controlled transport fleet in the UK and a national network of strategically placed sites — including distribution centres at Spalding, Motherwell, Enfield, Hemel Hempstead, Chesterfield, Thatcham, Portbury, Crewe, Barnsley, Faversham and Bedworth — that together deliver daily to more than 1,000 M&S Food stores and serve other major UK food retailers (Lidl, Aldi, Morrisons, Tesco) plus manufacturers (Arla Foods, Young's Seafood) and food service customers (Starbucks, both UK in-bound logistics and a US warehouse operation in Auburn, Washington). Four service lines form the commercial backbone: Retail Distribution (store delivery from high-spec DCs), Primary Logistics (daily ambient and chilled delivery from factories to retail), Temperature-Controlled Logistics (chilled and frozen warehousing and transport) and Global Freight Management (end-to-end cold-chain by air, road, sea). Underlying technology is dominated by fleet telematics (Microlise driving-style analytics, Tachomaster tachograph analysis), SAP BusinessObjects (BI Launchpad), and customer-facing portals (PCP, SUBONLINE, Haulier Portal). Gist also operates an in-house DVSA-approved HGV training and testing centre (Gist Driving Academy in Spalding) addressing the UK driver shortage, and a programme of zero-emission refrigeration and electric HGV trials (Sunswap, Carrier Transicold Vector eCool, DAF Electric, Volta Zero).
The business model is B2B contract logistics priced through multi-year enterprise agreements rather than public rate cards. Gist earns managed-services revenue on warehousing and primary/retail distribution for retailers and manufacturers, and project/professional services revenue through Global Freight Management. Customer relationships are deep and structural: Gist has historically also served M&S competitors, and this is reportedly preserved post-acquisition. The firm invested in its first Gist Standard Terms update in 2026 and continues to publish UK and Ireland Gender Pay Gap, Modern Slavery, and Sustainability reports — indicating a regulated, enterprise-governance posture typical of large infrastructure-grade suppliers.
A £340m automated National Distribution Centre under construction in Northamptonshire (1.3m sq ft, opening 2029, 1,000+ permanent jobs) is described as the largest supply chain investment in M&S's history and is being delivered with Prologis (real estate) and Winvic (construction). Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed; M&S does not break out Gist in its segment reporting, so all revenue-band sizing relies on headcount and operational-scale triangulation.
Gist firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gist
- Legal name
- Gist Limited
- Website
- https://gistworld.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Gist Limited is a UK temperature-controlled contract logistics provider and wholly-owned Marks & Spencer subsidiary, operating the UK's largest cold-chain transport fleet. It delivers daily from a national network of distribution centres to 1,000+ M&S Food stores and serves Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Morrisons and other retailers and food manufacturers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gist industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Temperature-Controlled Contract Logistics
- NAICS
- Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage (493120), Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (48423)
- SIC
- Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dairy & Ice Cream Cold Chain Logistics (TLAIAIAF)
Keywords
Where Gist is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Basingstoke
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices16 records
Markets served
Gist business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Contract Logistics Services: Gist provides temperature-controlled logistics services to major UK food retailers through long-term contractual relationships. Services include warehousing, transportation, and supply chain management for chilled, frozen, and ambient food products.
- Retail Distribution: Distribution services to retail stores nationwide, managing the movement of food products from distribution centres to retail locations.
- Global Freight Management: End-to-end supply chain management for chilled, perishable, and hazardous products across the world by air, road, and sea.
- Primary Logistics: Daily temperature-controlled delivery capability to major UK food retailers with maximum efficiency, including factory clearance services and end-to-end order tracking.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Gist product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gist is a B2B contract logistics provider specialising in temperature-controlled supply chain services. Its core offering combines a national UK network of strategically placed distribution centres with the largest temperature-controlled transport fleet in the UK, providing daily temperature-controlled delivery, warehousing, factory clearance, and end-to-end supply chain management for chilled, frozen, and ambient food products. Services are delivered to major UK food retailers, food manufacturers, and food service operators under long-term contractual relationships.
Product overview
Gist is a logistics and supply chain transformation company operating as a subsidiary of Marks & Spencer Group plc. The core offering is built around temperature-controlled logistics — combining a national network of strategically placed sites with the largest temperature-controlled transport fleet in the UK. The product portfolio spans four primary service lines: Retail Distribution (through high-spec distribution centres and specialist vehicles), Primary Logistics (daily temperature-controlled delivery to major UK food retailers), Global Freight Management (end-to-end cold chain management by air, road, and sea), and Temperature Controlled Logistics (the overarching capability covering chilled and frozen transport and warehousing). Supporting these are a suite of digital portals — BI Launchpad (SAP BusinessObjects WEBI for primary reporting), SUBONLINE (subcontracting management), Haulier Portal (SharePoint-based partner portal), and PCP (Primary Customer Portal for order tracking and shipment visibility). Gist also operates the Gist Driving Academy, an in-house DVSA-approved HGV training and testing centre, and has deployed telematics tools including Microlise and Tachomaster across its fleet.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Retail Distribution
Quantifiable outcome
- 6,000+ tonnes CO2 reduced annually through 100% renewable electricity
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Gist
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Gist technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature5 records
Gist partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Marks and Spencer Group plccoreM&S acquired Gist in July 2022 from Linde. The acquisition was designed to accelerate M&S's multi-year plan to modernise its Food supply chain network and support growth. Gist retains its identity and continues to operate as a separate business while serving as M&S's principal logistics partner. Gist works with all existing customers including M&S competitors.
- PrologiscoreReal estate developer partnering with Gist and M&S for the £340m automated National Distribution Centre in Northamptonshire. The 1.3 million sq ft facility represents the largest supply chain investment in M&S history.
- WinviccoreMain contractor for construction of the automated National Distribution Centre in Northamptonshire, UK.
- Arla Foods UKmajorThree-year contract for Gist to provide transport and warehousing services supporting Arla in Scotland and Northern England.
- Young's SeafoodmajorExpanded supply chain partnership with new volume from factories in Grimsby and Scotland.
- MicrolisecoreProvider of driver telematics system monitoring driving performance including harsh braking, over-speeding, idling, and coasting. Used to measure and improve driver efficiency and safety across Gist's fleet.
- Logistics UKminorDeveloped SAFED (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driver) training programme with Gist. Hosted train-the-trainer courses with 75 Gist drivers trained as assessors.
- TIP Trailer ServicesminorEquipment service provider selected by Gist to provide additional trailers for Christmas peak periods, with fleet size potentially increasing to 900 trailers during peak.
- FareShareminorUK food waste charity partnership for redistribution of surplus food. Gist has provided 265 tonnes of food equating to 631,000 meals. Partnership supported by M&S.
- NeighbourlyminorM&S partnership for redistribution of surplus food from stores too good to waste.
- Ford & Slater LimitedminorDAF Trucks dealer supplying majority of Gist's trucks and supporting electric vehicle trials.
- Volta TrucksminorPartnership with M&S and Volta Trucks for trialling the Volta Zero fully electric rigid, providing operational data and feedback to support product development.
- Brake (Road Safety Charity)minorUK's largest road safety charity partnered with Gist for the Child Road Safety Programme, recommended by Brake. Programme delivered road safety awareness to 150,000+ children across UK from 2011-2022.
- StarbucksmajorExtended contract for UK in-bound goods, storage, order processing and delivery to store. US operations include warehouse and delivery services from Auburn, Washington to Starbucks Northwest.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Gist competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- DHL Supply Chain: Global contract logistics leader with major UK temperature-controlled and food retail operations; offers multi-mode distribution, warehousing, and integrated supply chain solutions comparable to Gist's core offering, but as part of a much wider portfolio.
- Kuehne+Nagel: Global logistics provider with substantial cold chain / perishables capability and contract logistics services in the UK, competing for the same food retailer and manufacturer contracts as Gist.
- XPO Logistics: Major contract logistics and transportation provider in Europe and the UK with temperature-controlled capability; competes for retail distribution and food logistics contracts similar to Gist's.
- Lineage Logistics: World's largest temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics company with UK operations; comparable to Gist on cold chain warehousing and transport, but operates at significantly larger global scale.
Direct peers
- Culina Group: UK-headquartered temperature-controlled logistics specialist operating a major chilled and frozen distribution network serving food retailers and manufacturers; directly comparable to Gist on service offering, customer base, and geographic focus.
- Fowler Welch: UK temperature-controlled distribution and warehousing specialist serving major food retailers and growers; closely comparable to Gist in service mix, customer type, and domestic UK focus.
- Wincanton: UK contract logistics provider offering retail and consumer goods distribution including temperature-controlled capability; comparable to Gist in B2B contract logistics and UK retailer customer base.
- NewCold: Specialist cold chain warehousing and logistics operator with deep automated storage capability serving food producers and retailers; directly comparable to Gist's temperature-controlled warehousing and automated NDC ambition.
- Eddie Stobart Logistics: UK contract logistics and transport provider with temperature-controlled capability serving major UK retailers; comparable to Gist on UK distribution focus, customer base, and contract logistics model.
Regional players
- DFDS: European logistics and ferry operator with cold chain / temperature-controlled logistics and UK contract logistics operations; comparable in service offering though geographically broader and headquartered in Northern Europe.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gist social profiles
Digital presenceGist compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance14 records
Gist financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gist leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Gist funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gist M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gist
What does Gist do?
Gist is a B2B contract logistics provider specialising in temperature-controlled supply chain services. Its core offering combines a national UK network of strategically placed distribution centres with the largest temperature-controlled transport fleet in the UK, providing daily temperature-controlled delivery, warehousing, factory clearance, and end-to-end supply chain management for chilled, frozen, and ambient food products. Services are delivered to major UK food retailers, food manufacturers, and food service operators under long-term contractual relationships.
Is Gist a public or private company?
Gist is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Gist founded?
Gist was founded in 1969. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Gist based?
Gist is headquartered in Basingstoke, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Gist make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Contract Logistics Services are the primary driver. The others are retail Distribution, global Freight Management and primary Logistics.
Who are Gist's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are DHL Supply Chain, Kuehne+Nagel, XPO Logistics and Lineage Logistics. Direct peers are Culina Group, Fowler Welch, Wincanton, NewCold and Eddie Stobart Logistics. DFDS is listed as a regional player.
Does Gist have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gist.
What industry is Gist in?
Gist's product category is Temperature-Controlled Contract Logistics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAIAIAF, Dairy & Ice Cream Cold Chain Logistics. Its NAICS code is 493120 and its SIC code is 4220.