Shop Direct updates returns management
By Retail Technology | Monday April 29 2019
Shop Direct – operator of digital retail brands Very.co.uk and Littlewoods.com – has enhanced its returns management and pre-retail services with a new deal
The company has signed up with e-fulfilment provider Clipper Logistics for the project ranging across 1,800 brands from fashion to housewares to electronics.
Commencing on 1 July, the initial contract is for a term of five years and will see the employment of approximately 400 Shop Direct personnel.
The contract sees Clipper provide a comprehensive global returns management and pre-retail solution for Shop Direct, incorporating Clipper's BoomerangTM and Technical Services Division value-added services.
Shop Direct personnel based at its Raven Mill site will transfer to Clipper Logistics’ employment under TUPE.
Clipper Logistics will operate returns and pre-retail services on behalf of Shop Direct at the Raven Mill site until these activities migrate to Shop Direct’s new East Midlands fulfilment centre in 2021.
Following the 2021 scheduled transfer of Shop Direct’s returns operations from Raven Mill to a new fulfilment site in the East Midlands, Clipper plans longer-term expansion of operations at Raven Mill.
Managed returns
The Clipper operation at Raven Mill will become a multiuser returns and pre-retail support centre operating seven days a week.
Clipper is also planning to introduce other retail customers to the Raven Mill site as it seeks to grow further within the managed returns and pre-retail market.
Following 2021, a number of Shop Direct’s specialist returns management services will transfer to Clipper’s returns site at Swadlincote in Derbyshire, where Clipper will continue to provide Shop Direct with pre-retail and enhanced returns processing capabilities.
Shop Direct CEO Henry Birch said: “We are pleased to partner with Clipper to deliver returns and pre-retail services from Raven Mill and, later, specialist services from its Swadlincote site. Clipper has a track record of delivering best in class fulfilment and returns for digital retailers.”
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