Amazon plans to expand southwestern Ontario footprint with 2 London warehouses

Amazon, the colossal online retailer, is significantly expanding its southwestern Ontario footprint with two warehouses in London, Ont., according to the city's leading economic development agency.

The company is eyeing two warehouses located in east London, bringing 200 jobs, along with hiring 130 drivers to support the operations, the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) said Thursday.

With people stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadianspending on online shopping has effectively doubled, according to Statistics Canada. Tencents of every retail dollar is being spent on deliveries, with customers in many cases unable or unwillingto shop in person due to the pandemic.

Kapil Lakhotia, president and CEO of LEDC, told CBC News on Thursday the timing of the newwarehouses puts the city in a prime economic position for a post-pandemic recovery.

It's significant for London in terms of job creation, especially during this difficult time with the pandemic underway.- Kapil Lakhotia, London Economic Development Corporation

"It's significant for London in terms of job creation, especially during this difficult time with the pandemic underway.

"There are over 100 jobs projected at each location, which is great, especially as the region prepares for post-COVID recovery."

The two warehouses would both be in the city's east endone on Huron Street and the other on Industrial Road.

Both buildings will be operational in a few months.

Amazon would not confirm local media reports that the company also plans to build a massive distribution centre in the area, to be located on the grounds of the former Ford Talbotville plant.

In a statement Thursday, a company spokesperson said there would be "no comment" on the media reports, which have been largely based on unnamed sources.

London projects part of national expansion

The company has been on somewhat of a warehouse opening spree lately as it rapidly expands its presence in Canada to satisfy the growing demand for online shopping.

Last fall, the retailer opened two distribution centres in Hamilton and Ajax, bringing the total at the time to 10 in Ontario and 16 across Canada.

Since then, a number of new developments have been filed by the company along shipping routes outside major population centres, includingtwo new warehouses on Ottawa'surban rim.

The company backed out ofplans to build its largest warehouse and distribution centre yet on protected wetland near Pickering, Ont., earlier this spring after those plans were made public through an in-depth report by CBC News.