Online electricals retailer AO is creating 120 new jobs as it opens its third distribution warehouse in almost as many months.
The Bolton-based company is opening its 'biggest warehouse to date' this week after taking on a 275,000 sq ft site at G-Park in Stoke-on-Trent.
In the last four months, AO has acquired more than half a million sq ft of new warehousing space across Staffordshire and Cheshire to help meet the growing demand of its customers - and ensure staff can be socially distant.
And the new warehouse - the fifth in AO's portfolio - will create 120 new jobs across a range of roles, taking the company's national recruitment drive to more than 650 jobs.
The G-Park site will mainly be used for distribution to AO's 18 'local hub' deports nationwide, however, there are plans for it to include a delivery depot in the future.
Managing director of AO Logistics, David Ashwell, said: "Expanding our logistics network is a crucial step in our growth strategy, so we can continue to serve customers when they need us the most.
"We've really had to act quickly to adapt to an influx in customers following the Covid-19 lockdown. By actively securing more warehousing space and creating hundreds of new, quality jobs in the process, we're working hard to invest in the future."
He added: "As a business, we're proud to provide both an essential service for customers and a safe working environment for our people, with social distancing in place.
"Our team have continued to adapt to necessary changes and they are taking the swift expansion in their stride. With our latest distribution sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, we've now established a strong logistics hub in the North West."
In June, BusinessLive reported how AO opened a 110,000 sq ft warehouse in Crewe, to help grow its third-party logistics business.
It also opened a new, 115,000 sq ft facility at Redhill Business Park in Stafford in August.
Sara Williams, CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, has welcomed the news.
She said: "The increase in demand from online retailers has seen a growth in the logistics and distribution sector and it is great to see that electronics and appliances giant, AO, have recognised Stoke-on-Trent's central location, skilled workforce and great transport links and are utilising our region's strengths to help grow their company."
