Decathlon has acquired their first UK distribution centre following an extensive and long running search in the Midlands.

The French owned sports retailer and manufacturer has leased the former Tesco Distribution facility, extending to 190,000 sq ft, situated on Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton. The building became vacant following the recent opening of Tesco’s new 850,000 sq ft rail served distribution centre at DIRFT2.

Former Tesco Distribution facility being fitted out

Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) advised Tesco, while Decathlon represented itself. The building is currently being fitted out by Decathlon and will become fully operational later in the year. The facility will be utilised to supply Decathlon’s existing UK store network (currently comprising 14 stores) and will also operate as its national internet fulfilment centre.

Brackmills Industrial Estate is strategic location for Decathlon

Decathlon’s UK Expansion Manager, Ricardo Rodriguez said: “This distribution centre facility is ideally and strategically located to service our existing store network and also the proposed expansion of Decathlons business across the UK over the next few years’. Decathlon sees significant potential and opportunity for expansion in the UK.”

Improving market conditions

Michael Alderton of LSH added: ‘‘This letting confirms the improving market conditions and underlying demand for modern existing distribution facilities in prime locations, such as the M1 corridor, particularly from retailers seeking supply chain efficiencies and the expansion of internet operations.”