Blokker creates modern omnichannel distribution center

Interview with Roel Megens, Site Manager, and Roland Slegers, Project Manager Omnichannel, Blokker DC Geldermalsen, The Netherlands

Blokker, a Dutch chain store selling household goods, is gradually transforming into a modern omnichannel retailer. One part of this process is the complete redesign of the retailer’s distribution center in the city of Geldermalsen, assisted by Groenewout, to make it suitable for all sales channels. In the near future, store orders and online orders will all be handled in the same process, from goods received right through to order picking. “We’ve looked at the similarities between the two logistics flows rather than their differences.”

Like many retailers, business has been tough for Blokker recently, but Roel Megens firmly believes that the company is now back on track. The stores have been updated and the product range has been realigned with the needs of today’s customers. “We’ve gone back to the essence of Blokker: the stores are ‘full’ and lively again. Moreover, thanks to opening our own office in the Far East, we’ve been able to negotiate better purchasing conditions for some of our range.” This is already having a positive impact on the results. “We’re immensely proud of having achieved more than 10% growth in shopper numbers and close to 6% revenue growth in 2018. That’s definitely stronger than both the market average and our competitors’ growth,” says the site manager of the distribution center (DC) in Geldermalsen.