Amazon are an unlikely contender to take over a tranche of Homebase stores according to a report in this weekend’s Telegraph. With a shortage of UK warehousing space, large locations are at a premium and the closure of 42 Homebase stores represents an opportunity for Amazon Logistics that appears too good to pass by.
Closure of the 42 stores will result in a loss of some 1,500 jobs at Homebase and whilst Amazon taking over some of the stores would generate jobs it’s unlikely that the same people would be employed on similar contracts. There’s a big difference between working on a checkout or running the garden centre in Homebase and being a warehouse operative or courier driver for Amazon.
The move makes a lot of sense for Amazon as Homebase stores are generally situated close to urban areas but are mainly out of town locations and so perfect for expanding their Prime Now same day services in a rapid expansion to their Amazon Logistics arm. In order to offer Prime Now, Amazon need to have their fastest moving lines close to the end consumer for same day services and almost on their doorstep in order to offer one-hour delivery.
It is currently now known how many Homebase stores or how many Amazon might be interested in acquiring but it would appear unlikely that they’ll face serious competition from retailers looking for large warehouse type space in the current retail environment. The high street is struggling to come to terms with competition from online and that extends to retail parks where Homebase stores are typically situated.
The 42 Homebase stores scheduled for closure | Aberdeen Bridge of Don Aberdeen Portlethen Aylesbury Bedford St Johns Bradford Brentford Bristol Canterbury Cardiff Newport Road Croydon Purley Way Droitwich Dublin Fonthill Dublin Naas Road Dundee |
East Kilbride Exeter Gateshead Grantham Greenock Hawick Inverness Ipswich Limerick London Merton London New Southgate London Wimbledon Macclesfield Oxford Botley Road |
Peterborough Pollokshaws Poole Tower Park Robroyston Salisbury Seven Kings Solihull Southampton Hedge End Southend Stirling Swindon Drakes Way Swindon Orbital Warrington Whitby |
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One Response
Our one is on that list, this may explain why I was picking up a £40 wall light for £5 for a job last week.
It is actually quiet in that store but so is the B and Q and the Wickes. Tool station and Screwfix get all the business now.
There is plenty of warehouse space around here also, the old Comet has been derelict for years also.
Anyway if Amazon take it am sure they will bring lots of valuable extra zero hours job to the area, it is all there is around here these days. Our town is becoming ramshackle.