UK-based supermarket chain Waitrose has expanded its online delivery service in the UK with the opening of a new customer fulfilment centre.
Located in Greenford, West London, the new facility is expected to be fully operational later this year. It will be capable of delivering 25,000 Waitrose.com orders each week.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The customer fulfilment centre, also known as a ‘dark store’, is the third to be introduced by Waitrose in the UK, having previously opened sites in Coulsdon and Enfield.
Employees at the facility will pick and pack 1.25 million products a week. The products will be delivered in 150 new vans.
Waitrose.com director Laura Burbedge said: “Waitrose.com now accounts for a fifth of our total business, compared to 6% a year ago. But despite this huge growth, we know there are still more people who would like to shop online with us, so this new centre is a significant step in our future plans.”
The supermarket chain has selected UK-based logistic provider Wincanton as its supply chain partner for the facility.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataWincanton will help Waitrose in fast-tracking the centre and fulfilling the demand for online shopping slots.
Wincanton CEO James Wroath said: “As the first supply chain partner to create a dark store for grocery home deliveries in the UK, this is an exciting growth opportunity for Wincanton. We look forward to providing Waitrose.com customers in London with the highest levels of service.
“Dark stores will play a huge role in helping supply chains adapt to meet a new set of expectations as more retail purchases are made online, and they will better enable businesses to serve customers at scale.”
