Amsterdam shuts down three dark stores; prepares to regulate fast delivery industry

Amsterdam city council has ordered three distribution centers operated by super fast food delivery firms to close down because they conflict with zoning plans.

All three are located in the popular Pijp district and are in ‘locations earmarked for retail – shops which people walk in and out of to choose products’, the city said in a press release.

The distribution centres, known as dark stores because of their covered windows, are operated by Getir, Zapp and Gorillas. Their presence in the busy Pijp district is causing ‘traffic congestion, noise nuisance, bike nuisance and rubbish problems’, the city said. They are also open outside regular shopping hours.

Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Groningen, Arnhem and Amstelveen are all known to be preparing measures to regulate super fast delivery services and Amsterdam and Rotterdam have already banned them in some areas.

In particular, the cities are keen to make sure that the new services do not add pressure to already busy roads and cycle lanes, or block up pavements where their delivery centres are located.

Next week, judges in Amsterdam will rule on the city’s decision to close a Zapp distribution centre in the west of the city.

Dutch supermarkets are also going into direct competition with fast grocery delivery services, by signing alliances with food delivery firms.