2,000 retail jobs under threat at Littlewoods owner

Online retailer Shop Direct will close three sites in Greater Manchester, putting nearly 2,000 jobs at risk.

The group, which owns Very.co.uk and Littlewoods.com, said it would close its distribution centres in Shaw, Little Hulton and Raven.

It plans to build a new warehouse in the East Midlands employing 500 people, but said redundancies were likely.

Derek Harding, Shop Direct interim chief executive, said it was a "tough day for the business".

"However, these proposals are necessary for our future and to enable us to continue to grow and meet rising customer expectations."