Home, leisure and garden superstore The Range has started work on the largest warehouse development to be built in the UK this year – a new state-of-the-art 1.2million ft2 distribution unit located at Gateway 14 in Suffolk.
Set to create around 1,650 jobs once complete in 12 months; the mega-shed is part of the value retailer’s growth strategy which will see it increase its existing store portfolio. Currently, The Range has 210 stores in UK & ROI but plans to add a further 100 stores.
The new distribution centre will also enable it to add thousands of new products to its expanding store network and ecommerce business.
Alex Simpkin, CEO of The Range said: “This is not only a major landmark in the expansion of The Range’s estate, it’s also great to be able to announce some positive news that will, quite simply, inject millions of pounds into the UK economy.
“This vast distribution centre is the one of the biggest warehouse developments to be built in the UK for five years and could quite honestly be visible from space! In practical terms, it will allow us to expand to further locations around the UK – creating new jobs, opening more stores and providing an even better service in store and online for customers. It will allow us to expand our product offer, including even more unbelievable value and price-sensitive lines.”
The Range aims to sell over 80,000 ‘value’ products across 18 departments including DIY, furniture, arts & crafts, pet products, garden and outdoor living. It is also working to ensure sustainability is at the heart of this expansion. The facility at Gateway 14 will include EV charging, LED lighting, solar and smart energy systems.
Tony George, head of logistics at The Range, added: “We already have two existing major distribution hubs in the UK and this new site with its proximity to the Port of Felixstowe will provide green benefits through fewer delivery miles for both inbound stock and onward deliveries to The Range stores.”
