Clipper signs deal with bike retailer Halfords

Leeds logistics business Clipper reported an eight-year deal with Halfords, at the same time that the bike retailer’s chief executive officer Jill McDonald announced she would be stepping down.

McDonald will be leaving the company for M&S, taking a role as managing director in the clothing, home and beauty division of the department store business.

She will remain as CEO of Halfords until the end of her notice period in October 2017.

It was at this time that Clipper chose to announce a major deal with the retailer, to provide warehouse fulfilment and ancillary services from its distribution centre at Danes Way, Daventry.

The Northamptonshire distribution centre has more than 325,000 sq ft of capacity and Halfords will be the anchor customer at the site.

Steve Parkin, executive chairman of Clipper said: “Clipper began its relationship with Halfords last year. I am delighted that we have been able to demonstrate our ability to act proactively as a team and to develop solutions which will make a real difference to the Halfords business.

“Our relationship with Halfords represents a true partnership which we anticipate will continue to evolve. We are delighted to have finalised this long term contract to enable us to support their operations in the UK.”

Richard Street, infrastructure director at Halfords, said: “We are delighted with the partnership to date which has enabled us to consolidate all of our external storage and enhance pre-retail services.

“Working with Clipper will enable us to improve the service we offer customers both in shops and online. Our two other Distribution Centres remain unaffected by this change.”