
Retail powerhouse Next intends to shutter its Bradford warehouse in UK, jeopardising 780 jobs as part of its strategy to streamline returns processing.
The closure of the Toftshaw Lane site has triggered a consultation period for affected employees, signalling a significant change for the retailer.
Next clarified that the move is a necessary step as it aims to relocate operations to a new online fulfilment hub in South Elmsall, South Yorkshire. The company aims to assist impacted staff in transferring to other Next sites like Doncaster, Wath-Upon-Dearne, or the newly established South Elmsall warehouse.
Acknowledging that not all employees will be able to relocate, Next anticipates possible redundancies as a result.
The consolidation effort would help to “enhance its service to customers” by enhancing stock availability and simplifying the returns process for shoppers.
Additionally, Next highlighted the “significant maintenance and investment over the coming years” for the Toftshaw Lane warehouse, including the need to replace the entire roof, prompting the decision for closure during necessary repair works.
The planned closure timeline spans between August and September next year.