UK: AmazonFresh to occupy former Tesco warehouse | Progresiv
Amazon has agreed a 10 year lease on a former Tesco warehouse in Surrey, UK, further signalling its intent to launch AmazonFresh in the country, according to reports. 
Amazon currently offers its grocery food operation in the US and is looking to expand its service to the UK. In a move to accelerate its expansion the online retailer has now agreed a lease with logistics facilities owner Logicor to take a warehouse in Weybridge, Surrey. The new site has been unoccupied for several months after Tesco vacated it at the end of 2014. The Weybridge site already has some food-handling facilities such as chiller cabinets, which would allow Amazon to use a ready-made warehouse for its AmazonFresh service.
Increasing distribution capabilities
Amazon has also added another warehouse, located at Bardon, Leicestershire, to increase its distribution capabilities in the UK. The new warehouse is located on Interlink Business Park, Bardon, close to junction 22 of the M1 and in the Midlands Golden Triangle – one of the UK’s top distribution locations.
AmazonFresh launching in the UK is likely to add pressure to an already highly competitive market, in which the biggest share of revenue growth for many grocers is coming from the online channel and where profitability is already a hot topic. IGD's ShopperVista Channel Focus report The Amazon Grocery Opportunity in 2015 suggested that 35% of online shoppers "would consider buying fresh food from Amazon" if the service was available. (www.igd.com)
