Online retailer Galaxus celebrated the laying of the foundation stone forits new logistics center in early October in Neuchâtel, north of Basel and east of Mulhouse in the border region of three countries. The center will feature two warehouses and 90,000 square meters of storage space . The first warehouse is scheduled for completion in summer 2025.
"It is the largest commercial development in Neuchâtel since the 1960s," said Neuchâtel's mayor, Jens Fondy-Langela. With approximately 90,000 square meters of warehouse space and 1,000 employees, the site is expected to be of a similar size to Galaxus's previous largest logistics center in Wohlen, Switzerland.
“Since we are experiencing strong growth in both Switzerland and Germany, we need more space,” said Michael Stolle, COO of Digitec Galaxus, to around 50 guests. “Because the Swiss permitting processes in Rafz and Utzenstorf are still taking some time, our project in Neuchâtel has top priority.” Work on obtaining the necessary permits for the construction of the Swiss sites in Utzenstorf and Rafz is proceeding at full speed. The third location in Neuchâtel on the Rhine will not compete with the two planned operations centers in Utzenstorf and Rafz. Galaxus had already announced the new location in February. Michael Stolle explained: “Neuchâtel is ideally situated for us: From here, we can quickly deliver to Switzerland with our logistics partners, as well as to Germany and France. The products that Galaxus sells generally arrive via ports in Northern Europe. Neuchâtel is located on the route these products take to Switzerland.”
Digitec-Galaxus COO M. Stolle
Galaxus will be recruiting not only in the small town of Neuenburg, but also in Mulhouse, France, which is just a 20-minute drive away and, with over 100,000 inhabitants, is the nearest major city. Neuenburg's location directly on the Rhine and the A5 motorway makes commuting easy from all over western South Baden, from Freiburg to Lörrach, Müllheim, Schopfheim, and Bad Krozingen.
Last month, the Migros Group, majority owner of Digitec Galaxus, approved the corresponding budget for Galaxus Germany for another four years. In the spring, Migros had reviewed all of the group's strategic business areas – including its European expansion. The analysis of the strategy showed that the targeted further development of the online business in the European market holds promise.
Almost simultaneously, as previously reported, Galaxus Germany moved into a new office in Hamburg. With three times the space, direct subway access, and a rooftop terrace, Galaxus has left the Altona district of Hamburg and, since September 20th, has been operating from the centrally located Hoheluft-Ost district. The online retailer had outgrown its previous German headquarters on Schützenstrasse in Altona.
D. Borchers
