Amazon opens its largest delivery station in Abu Dhabi

Whenever we shop online, we simply click and move on until the order reaches us. Do you know there is a whole back-end process before the order reaches your doorstep?Have you ever wondered what happens after you make an online purchase?

From receiving the products in the warehouse to sorting, packing and shipping orders, a delivery station marks the beginning of the ‘last mile’. It is the last leg in the journey of a package as it makes its way to a customer’s doorstep. The retailer recently announced the opening of it’s largest delivery station in Abu Dhabi on June 23. Spread over an area of 4,700 sqm, this delivery station provides same-day and next-day deliveries to customers throughout the city.

“Supporting Abu Dhabi’s efforts to encourage innovation, the delivery station operates using Amazon’s global logistics technologies and will support the company in providing a reliable and convenient delivery experience for its customers through same-day and one-day delivery options,” says Lee Shepherd, Director Amazon Logistics, MENA Operations.

There are many teams along the way that ensure the backend process is running the way it should be, especially with so many variables in place. According to Lee, this process is always being fine-tuned. “Technology is the backbone of all operations. We are constantly investing in processes and technology to enhance the customer experience. Our associates work in symphony with the backend technology to speed up deliveries especially with respect to the same-day and next-day to delivery.”

Abu Dhabi has established itself as a testing ground for innovation, with advanced infrastructure and an enabling environment.  In November last year, Amazon had a successful collaboration with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to announce that it will build a fulfillment centre in the region in Abu Dhabi by 2023. ADIO is once again supporting their efforts to  bring the last mile technology and logistics capabilities to the Emirate.

Read: Amazon Web Services to open data centres in the UAE

Abdulla Abdul Aziz AlShamsi, acting director general of ADIO said: “The partnership between Amazon and ADIO reflects the ease of doing business in Abu Dhabi and the long-term growth opportunities available in the emirate. Amazon supports our vision for sustained investment in innovation and is bringing the latest logistics technologies to the region. The opening of Amazon’s new delivery station and planned Fulfillment Centre in 2023 will establish Abu Dhabi as a major global hub for ecommerce and logistics.”

Ronaldo Mouchawar, vice president of Amazon Middle East and North Africa said: “Amazon remains steadfast in its commitment to innovating on behalf of our customers. We pride ourselves on working alongside partners such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, who share our focus on innovation and providing the right resources and logistics to enable businesses and talent in Abu Dhabi to excel in the digital economy. By empowering the wider ecommerce ecosystem to get products to customers faster and more conveniently, we are ultimately improving the shopping experience for all customers.”

Amazon’s new delivery station will support the company in providing a reliable and convenient delivery experience for its customers through same-day and one-day delivery options. “We are constantly innovating on behalf of customers, leveraging our global expertise and best-in-class operations network to bring millions of products to customers in UAE. As we grow, our size and scale bring with it broader responsibility. We are committed to the communities where we operate and strive to make an impact on the MENA ecommerce ecosystem in various ways,” said Lee.

It’s no secret that Amazon is leading the industry. Customers expect transparency, accuracy, speed, convenience and a lot of this depends on the last mile. “This burgeoning growth of the digital economy coupled with customer expectations has led to the development of a complex and far-reaching delivery network today that is powered by technology. Our new delivery station will supplement capacity to meet this increasing demand in the region,” concluded Lee.

Also read: Amazon backs Saudi entrepreneurs to establish logistics startups