M&S job losses : British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) will shutter its Hardwick distribution center near Warrington, England, a move that will affect 450 jobs.

M&S will cease operations at the Hardwick distribution center in September as part of a five-year transformation program to make itself a faster, more commercial retailer. The changes implemented under the program will see the British retailer create a single-tier clothing and home logistics network.

Also, M&S has been automating its distribution center in Bradford which can now manage more capacity, which is why the British retailer is going to close the Hardwick distribution center.

M&S Job Losses

The 450 personnel to be part of the latest M&S job losses who will be impacted by the closure of the M&S distribution center near Warrington are contractors who provide clothing and home products to the British retailer’s stores across North West England and Scotland. Ongoing work at this distribution center will be moved to other locations across the retailer’s network.

Currently, the M&S Hardwick distribution center is operated by XPO Logistics, a third-party logistics provider while DHL is providing it transport operations. XPO and DHL have entered into consultation with the impacted employees at the M&S distribution center in Hertfordshire.

Commenting on the latest M&S job losses, Gordon Mowat – Director of Clothing of M&S Home Supply Chain & Logistics, said: “Closing Hardwick will help to remove some complexity from our network and speed up our supply chain. However, it was not a decision we took lightly and it is not in any way a reflection on the hard work and dedication provided by the teams on site.

“We will do all we can to support our partners through the consultation process.”

In another development, DHL has been selected as the operator for the new M&S South East distribution center, which is set to open in 2019 in Welham Green, Hertfordshire. This new M&S distribution center will hire about 500 people to work at the location.

Gordon Mowat, commenting on the new M&S South East distribution center in Welham Green, said: “On our new site at Welham Green, DHL is the right partner for us. They delivered the best response to the tender, they have a strong track record at other M&S sites and are best placed in terms of costs and speed of operation to help us realise the benefits of our new DC.”

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  DHL, England, Gordon Mowat, Hardwick distribution center, Hertfordshire, Marks & Spencer, Retail business news, Retail distribution center, United Kingdom, XPO Logistics