IKEA opens Western DC

RICHMOND, British Columbia – IKEA Canada has brought online its first distribution centre in Western Canada, a 330,540 square foot facility located on York Road in this suburb of Vancouver.

The Burlington, Ontario-based subsidiary of the global home furnishings giant said in a statement that the new warehouse operation will further enable it to have its products in the right place and closer to its customers while providing increased capacity for growth. The company is currently in the midst of a 10-year long expansion further whose goal is to double both its annual revenue and store count by 2025.

“Today’s opening is an important step as IKEA Canada continues its transformation journey to become the leading multi-channel home furnishings retailer,” IKEA Canada president Marsha Smith said. “By optimizing our distribution networks, we ensure IKEA is fit for long-term growth, delivering a more enjoyable and convenient shopping experience for our customers in Western Canada, both today and in the future.”

The Vancouver Customer Distribution Centre will fulfil IKEA Canada stores in Richmond, Coquitlam, Calgary and Edmonton; its collection points in Nanaimo, Victoria and Kelowna; home deliveries throughout the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta; as well as more than half of the home deliveries to customers in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Markets served by the new centre will see significantly shorter delivery lead times.

The new distribution centre is home to approximately 100 new co-workers, in a variety of functions including logistics, human resources, safety and security and operations. All co-workers will receive IKEA’s total rewards package including a Group RRSP, performance-driven bonus program, medical and dental benefits, a co-worker discount, TACK! loyalty program and more.

IKEA also believes the facility will have a positive impact on the environment. Its opening brings the retailer closer to the customer, thereby reducing transport distances and emissions. IKEA has also made a global commitment to have 25% electric or zero emission vehicles by 2020 and 100% by 2025.

The new Vancouver location is IKEA’s third distribution centre in Canada. The others are located in the Montreal and Toronto areas.