Shop Direct to close three warehouses


Nearly 2000 jobs are to be cut by Shop Direct as it moves to close three of its warehouse facilities in greater Manchester in order to consolidate operations in a single new facility in the East Midlands. Many of the affected roles will be not be replaced at the new site which will instead be automated enabling it to operate with as few as 500 permanent staff with an additional team of around 300 contractors to cover peak trading periods.

Interim CEO Derek Harding said that the sites in Shaw, Little Hulton and Raven no longer meet the business’ operational ambitions due to their limited accessibility adding that the business is working with Usdaw to ensure that the job losses were dealt with fairly.

“It is a tough day for the business and we know how difficult this news will be to hear for our teams in Shaw, Little Hulton and Raven,” he said, “However, these proposals are necessary for our future and to enable us to continue to grow and meet rising customer expectations.

Divisional officer for Usdaw Mike Aylward said “Our members are understandably shocked and devastated by today’s announcement of the proposed closure and relocation of the Shop Direct sites. The company has been providing employment for families in the north est for many decades and these sites have different generations of the same families working there. ”

Usdaw is calling on the support of local MPs and councillors as it seeks an urgent meeting with the company to look at the business case for the proposed closures.

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