Jd.com Takes Space At Trade City Manchester, As Momentum Builds At The Scheme

Trade City Manchester has secured another major occupier with Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com taking 9,250 sq ft, further strengthening the line-up at the city-focused trade and logistics development.

The letting follows the official opening of Howdens in 6,500 sq ft, which began trading in December 2025 and builds on the earlier commitment from Connection Flooring, trading as Flooring Superstore, who took 3,750 sq ft earlier last year.

JD.com has acquired the unit through its UK entity and will operate from the space as Joy Express, its self-operated B2C express delivery service. The operation will be their first in Manchester.

JoyExpress will support Joybuy, JD.com’s new European online retail platform, currently in beta (final testing phase) ahead of a March 2026 launch. Operating across the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and France, it will offer same-day and next-day delivery in major cities, alongside an integrated delivery and installation service for large home appliances in key urban areas.

Trade City Manchester’s prime city-centre location and strong transport connectivity make it an ideal last-mile logistics hub.

Howdens, the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier and a FTSE 100 listed business, has opened a new depot at Trade City Manchester to improve access to Manchester city centre and north Manchester catchments. The letting forms part of Howdens’ wider strategy to expand its estate towards 1,000 UK depots.

With these lettings completed, six units remain available at Trade City Manchester, ranging in size from 6,500 sq ft to 39,900 sq ft, offering flexible accommodation for trade counter, urban logistics and light industrial occupiers.

Colliers, CBRE and B8 Real Estate are acting as joint letting agents on the development.

Leigh Thomas, Group managing director at Kier Property said: “The arrival of JD.com, alongside the recent opening of Howdens and the earlier commitment from Flooring Superstore, underlines the strong occupier demand for well-located, city-edge trade and logistics space. Trade City Manchester is performing exactly as we envisaged, attracting high-quality national and international occupiers who value connectivity, flexibility and proximity to their customers.”

Trade City Manchester forms part of a wider portfolio of trade and logistics developments by Kier Property across the UK, with schemes also located in Andover, Bognor Regis, Bracknell, Hemel Hempstead, Maple Cross, Milton Keynes, St Albans and Sharston.