Greggs chooses Kettering for new NDC

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE NEW NDC which totals 311,551 ft2 will be built net zero carbon in construction  targeting BREEAM Very Good and an EPC A rating. Subject to planning, Greggs expects the NDC to be operational in the first half of 2027. This investment will bolster its capacity to directly supply ambient and chilled products to its shops.

The move is in response to ambitious growth targets by the popular high street baker to open 140 to 160 shops in 2024 with a view to running 3,500 retail outlets in the longer term. It is redeveloping existing distribution centres in Birmingham and Amesbury to increase logistics capacity and officially announced a new 500,000 ft2 state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at SEGRO’s Smartparc scheme in Derby in May.

That May trading statement confirmed that the baker was progressing with a land acquisition for a further distribution facility in the East Midlands with sites in Corby and Kettering on the shortlist.

At the time Greggs said the proposed  NDC would ‘significantly extend our logistics capacity across the network to circa 3,500 shops and deliver efficiencies through semi- automated storage and picking solutions’.

Tritax Symmetry is also seeking planning permission for an additional 100,000 ft2 to enable Greggs to expand the site further. 

The most up to date performance data available showed that in the first 19 weeks of 2024 like-for-like sales in company-managed shops grew by 7.4%. Total sales in the 19 weeks to 11 May 2024 were £693 million (2023: £609 million). Greggs is considered one of the most valuable brands in the UK.

Agents BNP, Cushman and Wakefield, and DTRE acted for Tritax Symmetry, with Wright Silverwood representing Greggs.