British warehouses are filling up goods against the threat of an exit from the EU without a free trade agreement in place—and fashion firms are among those bracing for a logistical nightmare. Britain is running out of warehousing space as retailers rush to fill them with goods in the event of no-deal. And while stockpiling food and medicine is more urgent than clothing, brands are under pressure too.

One such company is ABF, which operates five businesses, including fast-fashion brand Primark, and which has been stockpiling goods in the north of England. Another is Next. The high street chain—led by chief executive Lord Wolfson—was well advanced in its preparations in case a free-trade agreement is not in place by next March. To plan ahead, the retail giant has been stockpiling some goods in its Irish warehouses, which will be safe to travel to the UK in the event of no deal, thanks to the Common Travel Agreement between the two countries. However, given the rapidity of the fashion calendar and the speed at which trends change and collections are updated, even the best prepared brands cannot stockpile for more than a few months.