Cainiao opens Paris & Mannheim warehouses in Europe

Cainiao has opened two new warehouses in Paris and Mannheim, extending its European supply chain network.

Both sites handle bulky goods storage and local delivery services, and both have already received their first shipments. With these openings, Cainiao has launched seven new warehouses in Europe since April, across the Netherlands, France, Spain, Poland, the UK and Germany.

The Mannheim facility is Cainiao's second warehouse in the German city. It covers more than 20,000 square metres, and the company has reserved a further 40,000 square metres at the site for expansion.

Situated near Frankfurt, the warehouse is intended to work alongside Cainiao's other German facilities to support inventory replenishment at scale. Its location also places merchants selling on Amazon near the retailer's central distribution hub.

The Paris site is Cainiao's fourth warehouse in the French capital and the second new facility it has opened there since April. About 15 kilometres from Charles de Gaulle Airport, it is designed for bulky goods storage and local delivery services.

The Paris warehouse will serve as a node for merchants seeking faster inventory turnover and more dependable fulfilment in France and nearby European markets.

European push

The expansion comes as logistics groups build denser local networks across Europe to serve cross-border eCommerce sellers that want stock closer to end customers. Demand for logistics and supply chain services in the region continues to rise, alongside a shift from transport-only requirements to broader fulfilment and inventory support.

"Demand for logistics and supply chain services in Europe continues to grow, and we see significant room for further expansion in the market. What we are also seeing is a shift from simple transportation to more integrated supply chain needs. Merchants are increasingly looking for solutions that can help them position inventory closer to end customers, improve delivery speed, and maintain service consistency across markets. Europe, with its cross-border complexity and strong eCommerce potential, is a market where these capabilities matter even more," said Chen Taotao, Vice President and General Manager of Cainiao's Global Supply Chain Division.

Chen also outlined how the company views the role of its warehouse estate in the region.

"Our role is to provide the infrastructure and technology that allow merchants to operate more efficiently, reduce uncertainty, and improve service quality across markets," said Chen.

Automation plans

Alongside the warehouse expansion, Cainiao is introducing climbing robots and AI-based products in Europe. These systems are being used to improve accuracy in picking, sorting and dispatching.

The group's wider international footprint now includes more than 70 warehouses across 18 countries and regions. In North America, Cainiao has established local warehouse operations in the US, Canada and Mexico, while its US network includes hubs in Los Angeles, New York, Houston and Savannah.

That broader footprint reflects growing demand from merchants for localised fulfilment in overseas markets, particularly as cross-border sellers try to shorten delivery times and manage stock levels more closely. Cainiao's latest additions in France and Germany strengthen its position in two of Europe's largest logistics markets, where proximity to transport links and major consumer centres remains central to warehouse strategy.

"By combining strategically located warehouses across the globe with competitive services, Cainiao is helping merchants expand internationally with greater ease," said Chen.