Decathlon Netherlands chooses logistics hotspot Tilburg

Decathlon has signed a long-term lease agreement with HVBM Vastgoed for a new distribution centre of approximately 45,000 m² in Tilburg.

Decathlon has decided to take this step due to the rapid growth of its stores and sales on the Dutch market. Where at the end of 2012 there were still three Decathlon stores in the Netherlands (Amsterdam Zuidoost, Kerkrade and Best), the 20th Decathlon store will open in mid-November with the opening of the store in Nijmegen.

HVBM Vastgoed recently acquired a large-scale redevelopment location at the Kraaiven business park in Tilburg, where the new distribution centre for Decathlon will be built.  The distribution centre - designed by Dedato Architects - will be used by Decathlon to supply the Dutch stores.  The distribution centre, which is expected to open in mid-2020, will initially employ over 150 people.

The distribution centre will be built in two phases. The first phase consists of two units with a total area of 31,716 m² of office, mezzanine and warehouse space. This part will be delivered to Decathlon in mid-May 2020. The second phase of the distribution centre comprises 13,197 m² of office and warehouse space and will then be realised and put into use.

The high-quality and sustainable building will be developed by HVBM Vastgoed and realised according to the latest standards in logistics real estate. HVBM Vastgoed and Decathlon aim for a building that meets the BREEAM standard 'Excellent'.

Rohan Uijlings, Director of Real Estate at Decathlon in the Netherlands: "We want to serve our customers even better and be able to supply our stores even better. Modern consumers no longer want to wait long for their purchases, so we are making this important investment that goes hand in hand with our healthy growth in the Netherlands. Decathlon feels particularly at home in Brabant with our offices in Best, Breda, Eindhoven and Tilburg. It's great that in addition to our logistical improvement, another 150 people can work for us."

"This is truly sustainable development; for an end user at a redevelopment location with appealing architecture", says Adriaan Molenschot, director of HVBM Vastgoed.

During the housing project, Decathlon will be advised by DC&I Experts in Logistics Real Estate.