Action Opens First Italian Distribution Center in Novara, Creating Jobs | La Stampa
- Novara, Italy has become the location of Action’s first permanent distribution center in Italy, a February 13, 2026 announcement confirming the discount retailer’s growing commitment to the Italian...
- “This location is strategic because it sits along the Turin-Milan highway axis,” Levisse explained.
- Action’s expansion into Italy began in 2021 with the opening of seven stores, including locations in Turin and Vanzaghello (Milan).
Novara, Italy has become the location of Action’s first permanent distribution center in Italy, a announcement confirming the discount retailer’s growing commitment to the Italian market. The 57,000 square meter facility, located on Via del Castello, is strategically positioned along the Turin-Milan highway, according to Philippe Levisse, General Manager of Action Italy.
“This location is strategic because it sits along the Turin-Milan highway axis,” Levisse explained. “We needed to identify an ideal area to best serve our stores.” The warehouse began operations at the end of June and currently supplies approximately 100 Action stores across Italy, with the capacity to serve up to 270 stores once fully operational. The center currently employs 205 people, with potential for growth to between 350 and 400 employees at full capacity.
Action’s expansion into Italy began in with the opening of seven stores, including locations in Turin and Vanzaghello (Milan). The company added 21 stores in , and continued to expand rapidly, reaching 80 stores by . As of today, Action operates 213 stores in Italy, with three located in the Novara region, primarily concentrated in the Center-North of the country.
The Novara distribution center addresses the need for a centralized hub to support this growing network. Previously, Italian stores were supplied from Action’s permanent distribution center in Belleville, France (near Lyon), and a facility in Altedo (Bologna), which will remain operational. Levisse indicated that the company is planning additional distribution centers to further strengthen its supply chain. “There are many stores, yes. But there is still ample room for investment,” he stated.
The Novara facility was built to “Breeam” excellent standard for sustainability and is powered entirely by renewable energy sources. The site features 658 solar panels with a capacity of 302 kWp, smart meters, LED lighting both inside and outside the building, and electric vehicle charging stations. Action emphasizes sustainability as a core tenet of its strategy, focusing on “Planet, People, Product, and Partnership,” according to Levisse.
Action is also focused on employee development. Levisse highlighted the career progression of a regional manager who began as an assistant store manager in Novara and Vercelli, then became a store manager before assuming their current role overseeing 15 stores. The company partners with Fiege for logistics operations in Italy, citing shared values regarding carbon footprint reduction, social responsibility, and employee well-being. Alberto Birolini, Managing Director Italy and Turkey at Fiege, emphasized the alignment of the two companies’ core principles.
The opening of the Novara distribution center represents a significant investment in Action’s Italian operations and underscores the company’s commitment to serving the growing demand for its discount non-food products. The company opened its 100th Italian store in Nola, Naples in , and now employs over 2,000 people in the country. Action offers approximately 6,000 products across 14 categories, introducing 150 new items each week.