Ikea has opened a 452,000 sq ft distribution centre in Dartford, Kent, enabling faster and more sustainable deliveries to customers in London and the south east of England.
The launch marks latest milestone in ongoing London expansion, as the furniture retailer aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for customers.
Situated near Dartford Crossing and the M25, the new space is designed to deliver around one million orders a year, with many reaching customers within 24 hours of an order being placed. The launch of the site will also result in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, the company said.
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“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,” Ikea UK country customer fulfilment manager Jakob Bertilsson said.
“Establishing a distribution centre in the region is a hugely exciting and significant step in our investment in London, as well as a continuation in our omnichannel strategy to support customers in however they choose to shop with us.”
“We want people to enjoy the Ikea experience, no matter where they choose to engage with us, 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.”
Ikea also revealed by 2025, 100% its customer orders in London will also be delivered by electric vehicles, resulting in its decision to install 28 rapid HGV chargers at the Dartford distribution centre.
