IKEA launches multi-million pound distribution centre in Dartford
IKEA has opened a new 452,000 square foot distribution centre in Dartford as looks to make faster and more sustainable home deliveries to customers in London and the south east.
Situated at the former Littlebrook Power Station site near the Dartford Crossing and M25, the facility will deliver almost one million orders each year due to almost every second IKEA purchase in London taking place online. It will also result in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and is operated by 100% renewable energy.
IKEA is aiming to have all of its customer orders in London delivered by electric vehicles by 2025. To enable this, the retailer will be installing 28 rapid HGV chargers at the centre to power up HGVs while loading and unloading IKEA goods in under an hour. There will also be 60 overnight chargers installed.
With a storage capacity of 35,000 square metres, the site is capable of housing up to 9,000 products.
The news marks the latest milestone in IKEA’s ongoing expansion in the capital through new city stores, the development of existing stores and new fulfilment and delivery capabilities.
Jakob Bertilsson, county customer fulfilment manager at IKEA UK, said: “In London, we are opening new IKEA stores, investing in our fulfilment network and offering new services to meet more people where they live, work and socialise. Establishing a distribution centre in the region is a hugely exciting and significant step in our investment in the city, as well as a continuation in our omnichannel strategy to support customers however they choose to shop with us.
“We want people to enjoy the IKEA experience whether visiting our stores, home planning or online. The distribution centre will enable this by increasing availability of our products and reducing lead times. It also builds on our ambitions for 100% zero emission ‘last mile’ deliveries for 2025, a critical component of our sustainability strategy.”
Operated by longstanding IKEA service provider Wincanton, the facility has created over 300 jobs.
