Woolworths announces plans for new online fulfilment centre

Woolworths has announced plans to open a new online customer fulfilment centre (CFC) in Caringbah, NSW to better serve the online grocery needs of the Sutherland Shire.

The development application for the 7,200sqm Caringbah CFC – within Aliro Group’s 2229 estate at 13 Endeavour Rd – has been lodged with the Sutherland Shire Council this week. 

If approved, the CFC would offer customers spanning from Kurnell to Engadine access to more than 15,000 extra home delivery and direct to boot pick up windows each week, including many on a same day basis.

The plans come as Woolworths reported e-commerce sales growth of 92% from July-December 2020, with eCommerce sales now accounting for around 8% of total sales.

Woolworths Director of eCommerce Annette Karantoni says: “At Woolworths, we’re always looking to make it that little bit easier to shop for your everyday needs.

“We’re seeing more and more of our customers turn to the ease and convenience of online grocery delivery in the Shire. 

“To keep pace with customer expectations, we’re planning to open a new customer fulfilment centre in Caringbah to offer more delivery windows and an even more reliable service to our online shoppers. 

“In a Woolworths first, the CFC will also offer dedicated pick up bays with a direct to boot service for customers who prefer to collect online orders themselves.

“If approved, the project will deliver hundreds of new local jobs in the Shire. We look forward to engaging with the Sutherland Shire Council and the community on our proposal in the months ahead.”

Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to commence in early 2022 ahead of an operational launch later in the year.

The purpose-built facility will have wider aisles and more shelf space than a supermarket, allowing personal shoppers to handpick orders from a range of around 20,000 products quickly, accurately and efficiently.

The Caringbah CFC proposal is the next step in Woolworths’ NSW eCommerce network development, which includes existing CFCs in Mascot, Brookvale and Lidcombe, and a further automated site planned for Auburn.

Woolworths Group employs 1300 team members in the Sutherland Shire and has invested over $55 million in new shopping centres, stores and renewals across the local government area over the past two years.