Kathmandu will expand its national distribution centre in New Zealand’s Christchurch to support its plans to increase NZ store and online sales and its focus on international opportunities.

The existing 5000sqm distribution centre at the Portlink development in Heathcote will be increased to 7800sqm, and is expected to be commissioned in August.

The DC, which services Kathmandu’s 46 stores in New Zealand as well as international online orders, will continue to operate during the expansion project.

Kathmandu GM, supply chain, Caleb Nicolson, said the investment is a significant project for the company.

“We are optimistic about our business strategy, in particular our growing online sales, which now account for 4.7 per cent of our business, as well as the strength of our business in New Zealand,” said Nicolson.

“We expanded our international delivery offer in March this year and are now shipping to over 40 countries. Our plan is to ship an increasing number of international orders from the Christchurch distribution centre,” Nicolson said.