Debenhams Group has announced plans to relocate its fulfilment operations from Sheffield to Burnley under a new distribution agreement with a third-party logistics provider.
The agreement will see GXO Logistics operate the Burnley facility, overseeing global distribution for the retail group, whose brands include Debenhams, PrettyLittleThing, boohoo, MAN and Karen Millen.
The move is expected to create more than 1,200 jobs. It follows Debenhams Group’s announcement in September that it had agreed to sell its Sheffield distribution centre to Primark for £90 million.
Debenhams expects to continue operating from Sheffield until early 2027, ahead of the transfer of fulfilment operations to Burnley.
The move marks a return to Burnley for the group, where its site at Heasandford handled boohoo’s distribution operations.
Dan Finley, chief executive officer of Debenhams Group, said: “Burnley has played an important role in the group’s history, as the primary distribution location for over a decade. We’re excited to be combining our years of experience operating in the town with GXO’s fulfilment expertise, to support the next phase of the Group’s growth.”
Russell Atkinson, managing director of fashion and apparel at GXO UK & Ireland, said: “We’re excited to begin this new partnership with Debenhams, bringing GXO’s retail logistics expertise and global network to support its continued growth.”
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