The co-operation with goods distribution centres allows bundling of many individual deliveries and a noticeable shift from transportation by lorry to the use of trains and inland waterway vessels. This saves fuel, reduces road traffic and emissions as well as traffic noise.

The days, when each supplier delivered goods to each store individually, are over. Today suppliers take the goods intended for each individual store to a goods distribution centre. From there the stores get all their goods. Apart from the largest goods distribution centre in Unna the company has further regional distribution centres.

Solely thanks to centralisation in Unna 2.8 million fewer trips are made annually; in total this equals roughly 840 million fewer kilometres travelled by lorries. Moreover, since 2001 inland waterway vessels could be used for oncarriage from the seaport Rotterdam. Furthermore, some 75 per cent of deliveries could be taken off the road using trains instead. And thanks to optimised train logistics there are even no empty runs back from the stores. This means additional relief for the environment.

Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH co-operates with logistics service providers in the areas of large electrical appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, etc.) and mattresses. With the help of our goods distribution centres goods are delivered and stored in bundles in a central warehouse. From here, goods are delivered directly to the customer. This procedure reduces traffic in city centres, since the stores do not need to be supplied. Furthermore, the trips can be optimised. Delivery is carried out nationwide and generally within 48 hours. It goes without saying that the packaging and the old devices and mattresses are taken back at the same time and recycled in an environmentally compatible way. If desired, the delivery can also include installation; therefore an extra trip from an assemblyman is not required.