The Blyth site will be the first B&Q facility to serve both stores and home delivery. The multi-year agreement is part of B&Q’s strategy to optimize and transform its supply chain.
Commenting on the announcement, Gavin Williams, GXO Managing Director, UK and Ireland, said:
“We’re pleased to expand our longstanding partnership with B&Q. Together, we’ve already significantly improved efficiency, safety and sustainability across transport and returns operations. Thanks to this successful approach towards continuous improvement, we now look forward to bringing the full benefits of GXO’s industry-leading technology, scale and expertise to B&Q’s omnichannel operations.”
Amélie Gallichan-Todd, Supply and Logistics Director, B&Q, added:
“Our new Blyth distribution centre represents a long-term strategic move for B&Q. We’re constantly striving to be the easiest place to shop for home improvement, and so always looking to give our customers the flexibility to choose how and where they get exactly what they need, when they need it. We know from our existing partnership GXO has the right team to operate this world-class facility, helping to improve the homes and lives of thousands of B&Q’s customers.”
The new facility in the North East of England features nearly 37,000 pallet spaces and will employ more than 100 people during peak. It is also the first warehouse managed by GXO in the B&Q network.
The agreement between the parties includes servicing local and regional distribution centres with a fleet of approximately 600 vehicles and trailers and was expanded in 2021 to include “Store to Home” final-mile service for bulk and two-person deliveries.
In addition, since 2005 GXO has managed a 30,000-square-foot returns site for B&Q in Branston, where it now processes nearly 1 million cases of returned purchases annually and returns the majority of returned products to stock for resale.