Staff Report
Published March 9, 2012

Department store retailer Belk Inc. today announced plans to locate a new eCommerce distribution and fulfillment center in Union County. The $4.5 million capital investment is expected to generate 124 new jobs over the next five years.

“Belk’s eCommerce growth has been very strong, and to accommodate the demand from our customers, we need additional fulfillment space. We are pleased to fulfill that need with this new facility in Union County,” said Belk President and COO John R. Belk. “South Carolina offers us an excellent business environment, a strong workforce and exceptional access to markets. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials in making this project a reality.”

Belk Inc. will establish the new eCommerce distribution and fulfillment center, an expansion of the company’s existing eCommerce fulfillment center in Pineville, N.C., in the former Disney facility in Union, and expects to begin operations in June.

“South Carolina is a great location for companies trying to get products to markets throughout the Southeast. An established brand like Belk locating distribution facilities in one of our state’s rural communities is a real boost, and shows South Carolina has the business climate companies are looking for,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

ReadySC will assist with the recruitment, application and training process for the facility. Interested applicants should visit www.sctechjobs.com.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk is the nation’s largest privately owned mainline department store company with 303 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states. The company was founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., and is in the third generation of Belk family leadership.