Macy’s Inc. opened a new fulfillment center in North Carolina that will put automation to use for its supply chain and omnichannel customers.
Located in China Grove, North Carolina, the facility takes up 2.5 million square feet. It will handle customer fulfillment and store replenishment for its Macy’s nameplate in the near term. The company plans to expand service to other nameplates in its portfolio over the next two years.
Macy’s currently ranks No. 17 in Digital Commerce 360’s Top 2000 Database. The Top 2000 ranks the largest North American online retailers by their annual ecommerce sales and more. The company appears in the Apparel & Accessories category. Digital Commerce 360 projects Macy’s total web sales in 2025 will reach $7.21 billion.
How Macy’s will use its new China Grove fulfillment center
“The opening of our China Grove facility is a significant step in modernizing our supply chain and elevating the customer experience across every channel — with faster deliveries, well-stocked stores and seamless service,” said Tom Edwards, chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Macy’s. “With this investment, we’re building a faster, more efficient and agile network designed to meet our customers’ needs today and in the future.”
Macy’s called the automation technology being deployed in the facility “state-of-the-art.” To date, it has the largest storage capacity among facilities used by the retailer. Ultimately, Macy’s expects that it will speed up order processing and efficiency for the company, in addition to helping replenish stores.
Macy’s efforts in the region will also include putting $250,000 toward supporting local organizations and programs, including an automation training lab at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in nearby Salisbury, North Carolina.
What the facility means for Macy’s future plans
“Over the past two years, we’ve tested and learned from automation at other sites, refining how it can make our operations more efficient and our colleagues work safer and smarter,” said Sean Barbour, senior vice president of supply chain operations at Macy’s. “Now, we’re building on those lessons with our most advanced deployment yet including the debut of a new warehouse management system that will provide greater accuracy, flexibility, and speed.”
The China Grove fulfillment center is the third in which Macy’s has used the automation technology that’s in place there. Macy’s claims this technology doubled productivity in other operations. In addition, it is the first Macy’s facility to use the warehouse management system that has been deployed.
Macy’s leadership hopes to scale the technology across its network moving forward.
Do you rank in our databases?
Submit your data and we’ll see where you fit in our next ranking update.
Sign up
Stay on top of the latest developments in the online retail industry. Sign up for a complimentary subscription to Digital Commerce 360 Retail News. Follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and YouTube. Be the first to know when Digital Commerce 360 publishes news content.
Favorite