Arcadia in advanced talks with Clipper Logistics on new supply chain deal

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jun 16, 2020

Clipper Logistics is continuing to embed itself ever deeper in the UK fashion sector and the company said on Tuesday that it’s currently in “advanced discussions” with Arcadia Group.

The value-added logistics solutions, e-fulfilment and returns management services giant is talking to the Topshop and Dorothy Perkins owner about a transportation contract for its store delivery network.

The current transportation contract is managed by another logistics provider and consultations on Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment), also known as TUPE, are expected to start shortly once an appropriate process is agreed between Clipper and the incumbent logistics provider. 

Once finalised, this new contract will see Clipper making nearly 3,000 deliveries a week with the operation expected to start as soon as August.

Clipper’s executive chairman, Steve Parkin, also said he’s looking forward to working with the fashion giant “in developing a longer-term partnership”.

The logistics specialist has signed up more and more fashion names in recent periods. It has deals with Very, M&S, PrettyLittleThing and River Island and earlier this year a big new contract with Joules was unveiled. But its strength in the sector caused it some negative publicity early in the lockdown period. Clipper was accused of not having strong enough safety measures in place at one point as the coronavirus crisis was seeing ever higher infection rates.