QVC to Lay Off Nearly 2,000 Workers After Massive Fire at Distribution Center

QVC has closed a large warehouse in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, following a devastating fire at the site in December. The company filed paperwork Dec. 29 showing its intention to shutter the facility, which will result in laying off more than 1,900 people.

A state Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification (WARN) notice filed with the North Carolina Department of Commerce indicates the closure of the 1.5 million-square-foot facility could be permanent.

"QVC will be closing and ceasing all operations at its DC located at 100 QVC Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC, 27815. As a result of this closure, QVC plans to terminate the employment of all employees employed at this location," wrote Alicia Keane, director and people lead for operations of Qurate Retail Group (QVC's corporate parent company), wrote in the WARN paperwork.

Keane's filing also said, "The company is still assessing the extent of the damage, but it is clear the site will not be operable and there will be no work for the team in the foreseeable future."

QVC (Quality Value Convenience) is a popular home shopping company with headquarters in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The company also specializes in e-commerce and maintains a free-to-air television network.

Approximately 75 percent of the Rocky Mount distribution center was destroyed in the five-alarm fire Dec. 18. Nearly 45 different fire departments worked for over 12 hours to extinguish the flames.

One person died in the blaze, which is being investigated as a possible arson by local and state authorities in conjunction with a national response team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

A federal law known as the WARN Act requires companies to file a notice to provide at least 60 days' notice regarding closings and layoffs. A spokesperson from QVC told local Newsweek the main purpose of the Dec. 29 filing was to follow the federal guidelines that would allow agencies to extend help to the laid-off workers while the company decides the ultimate fate of the Rocky Mount site.

"We are still assessing the impact of the fire and, while we haven't made any long-term decisions about the site, we already know the building will be closed for an extended period and there will not be work there for the team for the foreseeable future," a statement from QVC provided by the spokesperson said.

The company is also offering various services to workers affected, including extended shutdown pay through February 1, $500 of emergency funds and career transition services.