Leyland, Lancashire, UK: The John Lewis Partnership has confirmed plans to transfer the running of its Waitrose distribution centre in Leyland to XPO Logistics as part of a restructuring that will see eight more shops and department stores close.
John Lewis said that the Partnership “had reached an agreement with XPO Logistics to operate the Waitrose distribution centre in Leyland, Lancashire, on our behalf”.
“Leyland remains key to our operations, however, the site remains significantly underused,” the company said in a statement.
“The decision safeguards Leyland’s future and secures employment for 436 Waitrose Partners working there who will transfer to XPO this summer under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE).”
Andrew Murphy, executive director of operations, said: “The agreement announced secures employment at the site and I am confident that, under the stewardship of XPO Logistics, Leyland will go from strength to strength.”
The latest move comes on top of the closure of eight stores that John Lewis announced last year.
