Crocs breaks ground on new European distribution center

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Jun 8, 2020

Crocs, the eccentric shoe brand based in Niwot, Colorado, has been cleared for construction of its new distribution center at DistriPark, the new logistics business park located in Dordrecht, the Netherlands. 

Spread across 35,000 square-meters (about 376,735 square-feet) the new facility will become Crocs' largest distribution center in Europe. Construction of the distribution center will be handled by Hercuton Bedrijfsbouw.  

The company said the new facility will be used as a storage location for the web store, and for supplying store branches and handling returns. 

The new location is expected to open in April 2021, and it is set to create approximately 200 to 350 new jobs for the municipality and the region.

“This is a very positive signal, especially in the current economically uncertain times," said Maarten Burggraaf, alderman for economic affairs.

"The fact that an appealing name such as Crocs chooses Dordrecht and the Drechtsteden indicates that we have everything we need to meet the requirements and wishes of logistics companies."

“These are exciting times for the Crocs brand and we are thrilled to announce the building of the new [distribution center]," a Crocs representative said.

"The new facility will allow us to improve support to our customers and we are particularly proud to move within the same region of the Netherlands. We look forward to supporting the local community."

In late April, shares in Crocs, Inc. fell 16% after the company reported declines in first-quarter sales and earnings due to the impact of Covid-19 and subsequent temporary store closings. 

For the first quarter ended March 31, Crocs' revenues totaled $281.2 million, marking a 5% decrease from the prior-year period, while its wholesale business declined by 5.6% and total retail revenues dropped by 15%. These decreases were partially offset by a 15.8% boost to the company's e-commerce revenues.