JD.com’s express delivery subsidiary snaps up first dedicated hub in the Northwest

By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters

THE COMPANY has snapped up Unit 6, a 9,250 ft2  urban warehouse at Kier Property’s Trade City Manchester scheme in Manchester to support the launch of JD.com’s European online offering Joybuy next month.

JoyExpress will support Joybuy by offering same-day and next-day delivery in major cities, alongside an integrated delivery and installation service for large home appliances in key urban areas.

JoyExpress will operate across the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and France. It is understood the conglomerate already has a dozen depots in London from which JoyExpress will operate come Joybuy launch day on March.

The BREEAM Excellent  and EPC A rated unit at Trade City Manchester boasts 8.5m eaves, 50kn/m2 floor loading as well as providing  Grade A offices and electric loading doors.

Trade City Manchester’s prime city-centre location and strong transport connectivity make it an ideal last-mile logistics hub.

Kier Property Group managing director Leigh Thomas, said: “The arrival of JD.com, alongside the recent opening of Howdens and the earlier commitment from Flooring Superstore, underlines the strong occupier demand for well-located, city-edge trade and logistics space.”

Trade City Manchester forms part of a wider portfolio of trade and logistics developments by Kier Property across the UK, with schemes also located in Andover, Bognor Regis, Bracknell, Hemel Hempstead, Maple Cross, Milton Keynes, St Albans and Sharston.

Colliers, CBRE and B8 Real Estate are joint agents on Trade City Manchester.