GMB warns up to 1,200 jobs at risk as Asda outsources George deliveries to DHL
Asda is set to outsource delivery of its George clothing brand to DHL, a move the GMB union says could put up to 1,200 jobs at risk.
The supermarket currently distributes its clothing range from three depots in Lymedale in Staffordshire, Washington in Tyne and Wear, and Brackmills in Northamptonshire.
Under the new plans, operations would be move to a DHL run site in Derby.
Subscribe to TRBNadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “GMB’s priority is and always will be to protect our members jobs – we give our members our unwavering commitment on this.
“In the Lymedale depot alone there are 14 couples with children whose entire household income relies on working there.”
Responding to the GMB’s statement, David Lepley, chief supply chain officer at Asda, said: “This proposal supports the continued growth of our George.com business as we seek to achieve our ambition for George to become the UK’s largest clothing retailer by volume.
“The proposed change would begin in January 2027 and be completed later that year. Any colleagues who transfer will do so under TUPE regulations, which protect their existing pay, pension and length of service.”
The trade union claimed the outsourcing of clothing distribution “paves the way for a full carve up of the company” by Asda’s private equity owner TDR Capital.
Asda executive chairman Allan Leighton responded: “The suggestion that we are looking to break up the business is categorically untrue and, frankly, insulting to all our colleagues.
“There is only one agenda in this business, it’s called the Formula for Growth, and we are solely focused on that.”
