Delhaize Belgium plans to build a delivery center in Forest (Forest), which it claims will double its e-commerce capacity.
The store has partnered with real estate developer Montea, which will be responsible for constructing the 20,000 square meter building.
It will be built on the site of the former Lipton factory, acquired through Montea in 2008, an ideal location on the outskirts of Brussels, according to the retailer.
The demolition of the old buildings on the site has already begun and the partners aim to have the new e-commerce center up and running by early autumn next year.
Inside the building, all cooling and heating will use heat pumps, eliminating the use of gas. Rainwater will be collected for sinks and faucets. There will also be smart skylights on the roof to optimise natural lighting.
Deliveries from the facility will be made on optimally planned routes, with fewer kilometres and electric vehicles adapted to a certain region, the Belgian store added.
Delhaize did not disclose the investment made for the project, which is expected to generate about 500 jobs.
Montea, for his part, indicated that the lease would be for a period of 15 years and that the investment budget of the land and the progression of the amenities is estimated at 38. 5 million euros.
The new logistics centre in Forest (Forst) will join an existing facility in Puurs, near Antwerp, as well as smaller regional hubs in Liège, Ghent and Drogenbos.
This expansion will allow Delhaize to achieve its leadership position in food delivery, providing improved service and increased product availability to its online customers, he said.
According to Delhaize, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a stimulating effect on product sales, with double-digit expansion recorded since June 2022.