Upmarket UK retailer Waitrose will open a ‘dark store’ in Acton, London tomorrow (4 October).
The 37,000 sq ft fulfillment centre acts as a distribution hub for online orders for customers within the M25.
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In April, Waitrose made the announcement that it was to expand its online service catering for customers in London with the opening of the new warehouse in the west of the UK capital.
The centre, which, the company says, is laid out like a supermarket and staff effectively shop for the online customer, will initially handle 2,000 orders a week from customers but the company expects this number to grow in the next few months. At full capacity, the centre will become the largest food-only Waitrose branch.
As a result of the GBP3m (US$4.7m) investment, over 200 jobs have been created. The facility has been created in six months from a former John Lewis distribution centre, the company added.
Waitrose managing director Mark Price said: “We see huge potential for our online business across the country and in the important London market and this new fulfilment centre is a big step forward in meeting the incredibly strong demand for Waitrose products, service and value in the capital.”
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