Debenhams Group plans fulfilment move back to Burnley as Disney Store announces first UK outlet
Today's news is mostly about warehouses, new stores and the technology behind them, with a couple of people moves worth knowing about.
In brief
- Debenhams Group has announced plans to move its fulfilment operations back to Burnley, in a partnership with GXO Logistics
- Disney Store has announced its first UK Outlet store, at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks, opening this autumn
- ProCook has opened a new Central London store
- Gap Inc. has started to scale Bridgette, an AI tool for seasonal hiring, across its stores and distribution centres
- refurbed, a European online marketplace for professionally refurbished products, plans to officially launch in the UK this November
Jobs and people
Debenhams Group, home to Debenhams, PrettyLittleThing, boohoo, MAN and Karen Millen, has announced plans to move its fulfilment operations back to Burnley. The move is part of a partnership with GXO Logistics.
Gap Inc. has started to scale Bridgette across its stores and distribution centres. It describes Bridgette as an AI enabled virtual career guide for seasonal hiring.
Former Burberry and Apple executive Craig Smith has joined Bath & Body Works as its new Executive Vice President of Digital, effective 2nd November.
Stores and openings
Disney Store has announced that its first UK Outlet store will open at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks this autumn1. ProCook has opened a new store in Central London2.
In Belgium, Carrefour Belgium reports that it has reached 12 stores in its AI driven autonomous BuyBye concept.
Digital and marketing
Morrisons, which teams with Instacart and Everseen, is among the finalists at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards1. Dunelm is also a finalist, in a partnership with VoCoVo, for transforming its in-store communications infrastructure2. The winners will be announced at an event in Central London1.
Aldi is urging parents to check their receipts for the chance to win a £100 Aldi shopping voucher, with a winner picked every week until January 2027.
Products and partnerships
M&S Food has announced a new investment to make selected family favourite British beef, lamb and pork better value for customers. M&S says the move backs British farmers.
Booker has launched its Autumn 2026 Food and Drink Guide, with over 600 Value Locked prices. The guide is live on its website and in branches now, and is designed to support foodservice operators.
Our take
Debenhams Group's Burnley plans and Gap's AI hiring guide are a reminder that retail careers stretch well beyond the shop floor, into fulfilment and distribution. With seasonal hiring under way, it is worth reading every step of an application carefully, as some retailers now use AI tools to guide applicants through the process. There are 20,421 live jobs on TRAP today, including 1,207 at Next, 614 at Aldi, 540 at M&S and 118 at Dunelm.
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