Rakuten to Launch Operations at Rakuten Super Logistics Nagareyama and Hirakata Fulfillment Centers

Tokyo, January 18, 2019 - Rakuten, Inc., today announced the launch of operations at the Rakuten Fulfillment Center Nagareyama, in Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture, as part of its comprehensive logistics service, Rakuten Super Logistics. On January 21, operations will also commence at a second logistics center in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, the Rakuten Fulfillment Center Hirakata.

Rakuten Super Logistics offers comprehensive logistics services from product storage to shipment for merchants on the Rakuten Ichiba marketplace. To date, Rakuten has established logistics centers in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, and Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, and by providing high quality logistics services has worked to contribute to the stable e-commerce store operations of its merchants. The new centers have been established in order to further increase the processing capabilities of the company’s logistics services.

The new centers will leverage Rakuten’s expertise in warehouse operations, while also introducing a cutting-edge material handling system^*1 which will improve operational efficiency and reduce the number of staff required for operations. Furthermore, in addition to serving as storage and shipment locations for the products of Rakuten Ichiba merchants, the fulfillment centers are also planned to be used as sorting and shipment centers for the Rakuten EXPRESS delivery service operated by Rakuten. Plans are also underway to further expand the number of locations for the Rakuten Super Logistics service.

The establishment of the new logistics centers is part of Rakuten’s “One Delivery” vision for a comprehensive logistics and delivery service, providing everything from storage to delivery for merchants on Rakuten Ichiba, with the aim of addressing the issues currently faced by the logistics industry in Japan.

 *1 Automated warehouse and sorter

Rakuten Fulfillment Center Nagareyama
Name: Rakuten Fulfillment Center Nagareyama
Property name: GLP Nagareyama II
Location: 261 Minami, Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture
Operations launch date: January 18, 2019
Area: Approximately 80,000 square meters
Facility floors: Four floors above ground (office space on fifth floor)

Rakuten Fulfillment Center Hirakata
Name: Rakuten Fulfillment Center Hirakata
Property name: GLP Hirakata III
Location: 1-2-1 Nagaotanimachi, Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture
Operations launch date: January 21, 2019
Total area: Approximately 119,000 square meters
Leased area: Approximately 75,000 square meters
Facility floors: Five floors above ground

 About Rakuten Super Logistics
https://logistics.rakuten.co.jp/

Rakuten Super Logistics is a logistics service operated by Rakuten that offers comprehensive distribution services from storage to shipment for products from merchants on the Rakuten Ichiba marketplace. It provides a high-quality logistics service covering everything from the arrival of goods at the warehouse to delivery, and offers services that meet the unique requirements of each merchant, such as gift-wrapping or the attachment of promotional materials. By outsourcing their delivery work to Rakuten Super Logistics, merchants are free to focus on tasks such as product planning and marketing.

 About Rakuten EXPRESS
https://express.rakuten.co.jp/

Rakuten EXPRESS is a delivery service operated by Rakuten which provides delivery services for products from Rakuten Direct, Inc., a Rakuten Group e-commerce service offering daily necessities, Rakuten Books, Rakuten BRAND AVENUE, and some of the deliveries from Rakuten Ichiba merchants handled by the Rakuten Super Logistics service. The service coverage area includes the 23 wards of Tokyo, 14 cities in metropolitan Tokyo, and parts of Chiba Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture. In order to reduce the incidence of redeliveries to absent customers, Rakuten EXPRESS allows customers to specify a time for delivery up to midnight and offers the “Oki-hai” unattended delivery service option which allows customers to set a location on their property for products to be delivered to in the event of their absence.

 About the “One Delivery” Vision
In recent years, the increasing number of missed redeliveries, staff shortages and other issues faced by the domestic logistics industry are becoming broader issues for society at large, and e-commerce merchants are finding it increasingly difficult to ensure stable operations. In order to address these issues, Rakuten has established its “One Delivery” vision for a comprehensive logistics service to manage processes ranging from product orders to deliveries for merchants on the Rakuten Ichiba marketplace, in which the company is undertaking various initiatives such as Rakuten Super Logistics and Rakuten EXPRESS.

About Rakuten
Rakuten, Inc. (TSE: 4755) is a global leader in internet services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to more than 1.2 billion members around the world. The Rakuten Group has over 17,000 employees, and operations in 30 countries and regions. For more information visit https://global.rakuten.com/corp/.

*Please note that the information contained in press releases is current as of the date of release.