Marks & Spencer has started hiring for its new fashion distribution hub in Lichfield, with more than 70 roles open now and around 600 jobs expected once the site is fully up and running.

The 437,000 sq ft centre will be fully automated and is due to open next year. It will handle fashion, home and beauty orders, moving stock from suppliers to stores and directly to customers more quickly as part of M&S's push to double its online sales in those categories.

The first wave of vacancies covers management, operational and specialist positions, including planners, team managers and technicians. Applications are available through the M&S Careers website, and the retailer has said it will recruit for more roles in the coming months as the launch approaches.

David James, supply chain and logistics director for fashion, home and beauty at M&S, said the new hub would help the retailer serve customers better by delivering fashion faster than ever before. He added that building the right team was crucial as the opening drew closer.

The Lichfield site will add capacity to M&S's existing round-the-clock distribution network, which already processes orders for stores and online shoppers across the UK.

M&S is also opening a new food store in Lichfield, on St John's Grange, Baker Way. The 15,800 sq ft fresh market-style foodhall is scheduled to open next March and will create 70 local jobs, with applications for roles including shift leads and customer assistants due to open in the coming weeks.

The store is one of 18 new food stores M&S plans to open this financial year as it expands its larger-format food estate.

[Source: retailgazette.co.uk](https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2026/10/ms-recruitment-lichfield-dc/) | [Source: thebusinessdesk.com](https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2118704-ms-starts-hiring-lichfield-distribution-hub)