The Société des alcools du Québec, better known simply as the SAQ, has announced a major expansion of its distribution centre in Montreal.
The liquor retailer said Feb. 10 it plans to add 200,000 sq. ft. to build out and modernize its logistics hub on the city’s east end.
Catherine Dagenais, the crown corporation’s president and CEO, said the building project will help the SAQ keep up with the fast-changing retail landscape.
“It represents a significant upgrade of our supply chain and will give us the capacity we need to transform our operations and the experience we want to deliver to customers, including permit holders,” she said in a release.
The project is estimated to cost $45.8 million, including construction and the installation of automated picking equipment for small orders. The expansion mirrors similar projects throughout the warehousing business as retailers respond to online ordering trends fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SAQ said it plans to launch a call for tenders for the design and construction of the facility in the coming weeks, with the aim of starting on-site work next year. The expanded facility is scheduled to open in 2024, boosting the distribution centre’s footprint to more than one million sq. ft.
