MK: John Lewis To Bring 450 New Jobs To Town

28 February 2013, 10:00 | Updated: 28 February 2013, 12:34

John Lewis has confirmed it's expanding it's distribution activities in Milton Keynes, creating 450 jobs.

The company is to open a second distribution centre after signing a 30 year-lease on the new site, which is adjacent to John Lewis's existing site at Magna Park.

Operations will be relocated from its current site at Park Royal in north London, subject to consultation with Partners, and will fulfil orders both from the retailer's online business and to its 39 shops around the UK.

Up to 560 jobs from Park Royal will be impacted.

200 new jobs will be created at a new smaller delivery hub in London, as well as the 450 jobs in Milton Keynes.

The opening follows John Lewis's first DC at Magna Park, which opened in 2009, and is part of the retailer's plans for improvements in productivity, availability and customer service as well as supporting its expansion plans.

Dino Rocos, Distribution Director at John Lewis, told Heart: "We are constantly striving to improve the service that we offer to our customers. For the supply chain this means improving availability. Magna Park gives us the space we need and allows us to continue to build on the improvements we have made in providing better service to our shops and customers at a lower cost.

The DC's automation equipment will deliver the capability to issue stock cost effectively little and often, based on demand. It will also allow John Lewis to fulfil more items direct to customers from its central DCs, improving customer service and consolidating the company's position as a leading omnichannel retailer.  

The new, multi-million pound DC will occupy 675,000 sq feet and provide modern and flexible warehouse space. The development will also include an extensive range of eco-friendly enhancements, including LED Lighting and Solar Thermal Water Heating, ensuring BREAAM Excellent certification."