TJ Morris stumps up £400m as UK discount retailer Home Bargains takes wraps off new automated distribution centre

Home Bargains, a UK-based discount retailer, has announced the official opening of its automated distribution centre.

Spanning approximately one million square feet, the new site will operate around the clock to support 300 Home Bargains stores and employ 1,000 colleagues.

Located just off Junction 8 of the M62, the site is accessible via road, public transport, and a dedicated footway/cycleway that links it to St Helens, Warrington, and the wider Omega Business Park. 

Owner TJ Morris has invested around £400 million in this development - a key step in the company’sgrowth strategy and its mission to expand the reach of Home Bargains stores across the UK.

The automation system, developed in partnership with WITRON, incorporates order picking technology. Up to 80% of stock picking is now automated. 

Construction began in April 2022, and the first store deliveries were dispatched on 5th May 2025. By the end of the ramp-up phase in August 2025, logistics capacity is projected to grow by over 57%.

TJ Morris has started work on its next DC  in Doncaster, which will be a copy of the site in St Helens, with the same automated systems. The Doncaster site is scheduled to open in 2028 and will provide capacity to deliver to a further 300+ stores.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Supply chain automation will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.