Department store group Hudson's Bay Company is taking over Blokker's distribution centre in Mijdrecht. From this location, it will supply its ten planned stores in the Netherlands and handle the fulfilment of the web shop.
Hudson's Bay leases the distribution centre from HB Capital, the investment company of the Blokker family. The DC has an area of 55 thousand square metres, including office space. This month, the retailer will start its first operational activities there.
It is still unclear what this means for Blokker's logistics operations. The Dutch group has a distribution centre in Geldermalsen and, since 2015, an e-fulfilment DC in Gouda. From the location in Mijdrecht, Blokker Holding also supplies Big Bazar shops. For several years, Blokker Holding has been struggling with competition from price-fighters like Action and webshops like bol.com. In 2015, it posted a loss of 52 million euros. A transformation of the shop formulas should help the group recover.
Hudson's Bay announced its arrival in the Netherlands last year. The Canadian retailer wants to jump into the gap left by V&D after its bankruptcy. Still this autumn, Hudson's Bay will open ten stores in the Netherlands.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
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