To meet growing demand and manage an increased inventory, pureplay retailer Booktopia has signed a lease agreement to move its customer fulfilment centre (CFC) to South Strathfield in Sydney.

The new CFC spans 20,000 sqm and has a custom design layout the company says will improve efficiency and reduce manual handling. It is fitted with advanced robotics to improve product flow.

Booktopia acting CEO, Geoff Stalley, said the new CFC “reshapes” the business’ supply chain.

“We continue to see opportunities for growth in the Australian book market and the investment in a new customer fulfilment centre is critical to business performance and to ensure Booktopia can meet its customer promise now and into the future.”

The business is also finalising a financial package to support an investment of $14 million in new equipment which will be used across the upcoming financial years. Booktopia will progressively move stock to the new CFC which it says will be fully operational by Christmas next year.

The company warned that the move will lead to some one-off writedowns on the old facility in Lidcombe, where the lease will come to an end next year.