warehouse

In Hangzhou, once the capital of Song China, Marco Polo observed markets linked by canals and warehouses that “supply them with every article that could be desired.”

He knew the importance of technology after more than five years helping build out Amazon.com’s ground and air logistics network linking warehouses and distribution centers.

In the third quarter, the amount of warehouse space completed was down 14.6% from the previous three months at 63.6 million square feet, which is nearly 33% lower than a year earlier.

Those employees work in roles including store development, roasting, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution.

Inventory sitting in warehouses ties up capital and if demand doesn’t shape up as planned, having to discount hurts margins, he said.