Fast-growing 'sofa in a box' company to use Corby's former Staples mega-warehouse as new distribution centre

A huge warehouse vacated by office retailer Staples has been snapped-up by Wincanton to be used as a distribution hub for a rapidly-expanding furniture company.

Staples announced it was moving off the site in Mitchell Road earlier this year, leaving dozens of people jobless.

But now Wincanton, which already runs several logistics centres around Northamptonshire, is taking over the lease on the building

The firm has been awarded a new contract to provide eFulfilment, stock management and final-mile home delivery services with online furniture retailer Snug.

The three-and-a-half-year contract will see Wincanton fulfil all customer orders, with large products being delivered via Wincanton’s two-person home delivery network.

Wincanton already has contracts with similar firms including Dobbies, Dwell, The White Company and Sofa Club.

Snug will become one of the principal customers at the state-of-the-art automated warehouse in Mitchell Road.

Wincanton has pledged to invest in the facility to develop next-generation robotics.

Snug launched in 2019 offering the UK’s first-ever sofa in a box, provides high-quality sofas on-demand for simple, no-tools assembly directly in customers’ homes.

Wincaton's Managing Director of Digital and eFulfilment Paul Durkin said: "Snug required a long-term logistics partner to manage its warehousing fulfilment operations, as well as provide a critical role on the front-line meeting customer’s delivery expectations.

"Wincanton’s well-established eCommerce and eFulfilment capabilities, enhanced by our new development means we are well placed to support Snug with their continued growth."

Snug founder Rob Bridgman said: "Snug started the 'sofa in a box' movement and in doing so has created one of the UK’s fastest-growing eCommerce brands. Snug's ready to assemble sofas are delivered in days and assembled in minutes without the need for tools, setting us apart from all other sofa brands.

"As category creator and leader, we are continuing to invest in offering a world-class customer experience and Wincanton offers us capabilities to scale at pace and to deliver on our customer promise."