Kitchenware specialist Lakeland is making a £10 million
investment in its distribution centre to boost its expansion in
the UK as well as into mainland Europe and the Middle East.
As part of its plans, Lakeland aims to grow its store portfolio
from 60 to 100 stores in the UK and double the number of stores
it has in the Middle East to 14 within three years.
In the UK, sales in 2012 were the company’s highest ever, fuelled
by the popularity of home baking and resurgence of the
“home-made is best” culture. The decision to develop
the Lakeland distribution centre in Kendal, Cumbria is designed
to support the company’s planned growth in the UK and
overseas.
“Whilst this is not the largest investment that has been
made by Lakeland it is seen as being one of the most significant
as it is being made at a time when the economy isn’t as
favourable as has been experienced in the past,” said
managing director Sam Rayner. “We have been holding off on
this investment for a number of years but now feel that we need
to prepare the company for the next phase of its development and
the expansion of the distribution centre is a key part of our
plans for growth.”
It is envisaged that the expansion of the distribution centre and
opening of new stores could create up to 600 jobs over the next
five years.
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