The sites, in Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire and Thorncliffe, Sheffield, will close next year. DHL manages the Long Eaton warehouse, which is home to over 300 warehouse workers and supervisory staff. It’s expected to close in the spring of 2021.
The second warehouse is run by DHL rival XPO, and it employs over 360 people. Marks & Spencer said the decision is part of plans to revamp its warehouse network to save money and improve stock availability. Stock issues have become a critical concern at the department store chain, after buying errors in the menswear department resulted in underperformance during the all-important Christmas quarter.
The retailer admitted that it had bought too many men’s skinnies and slim-fit trousers, and not enough regular fits, while last year’s ‘Jeansgate’ led to the departure of clothing boss Jill McDonald after a major jeans promotion went amiss when buyers failed to secure enough stock.
