Lidl Belgium has announced that it has commenced the construction of a new distribution centre in La Louvière.
This new project, located in the heart of Garocentre Magna Park, will use sustainable technologies and employ a dozen new people.
The distribution centre is expected to commence operations by June 2022 and replace the present logistics centre at Courcelles.
The retailer added that it would invest €75 million in the facility as part of its expansion plans in the region.
Highlights
The 41,805 square-metre distribution centre will supply goods to around 60 shops in the provinces of Hainaut and Walloon Brabant and the Brussels Region.
It will feature a cooling and freezing area of more than 15,500 square metres for optimal storage of fresh produce and frozen products.
The retailer added that its investment in the facility is part of its growth strategy as a smart discounter in Belgium.
'Discount Element'
"In recent years, we have gained the confidence of consumers by offering them high-quality products at a very competitive price. And even now, we stick to the discount element, which means that we set up strict processes from A to Z," Lidl Belgium spokesperson Julien Wathieu, explained.
"We want to make shopping a pleasant experience and continue to offer our customers fresh products. That is why it is very important that the quality of our own logistics support is excellent. These are the objectives of this ambitious project in La Louvière."
The facility will implement various eco-friendly features, including heat recovery, electric charging points for cars and bicycles, water recovery, LED lighting, and efficient cooling systems.
"In addition, the distribution centre in La Louvière is definitely going for the BREEAM 'Outstanding' certification," Wathieu added.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.