For fashion and lifestyle brands seeking efficient pan-European distribution, location is everything. Read on to discover why Venlo, a logistics hotspot in the Netherlands, has emerged as the strategic choice for major brands and how its unique advantages can help brands transform their supply chain operations.
The ability to reach customers quickly and efficiently across multiple markets can make or break a brand’s success, so choosing your fulfilment locations strategically is critical. That’s why many brands opt for the Netherlands, which has once again been ranked as the world’s number two best-connected country according to the DHL Global Connectedness Index.1 This is evident in Venlo. The city, on the German border, is a warehousing and distribution centre for some of the world’s most recognisable brands.
But what makes Venlo so attractive to global fashion brands? The answer lies in three critical advantages that create an unbeatable proposition for omnichannel fulfilment.
The quadruple-threat advantage: What sets Venlo apart
Strategic location and world-class connectivity:
Bordering Germany and offering simplified access to the Benelux region, Venlo provides excellent multimodal transport via road (A67/A73), rail terminals and inland shipping via the Maas River. Strategically positioned to reach affluent markets across Western Europe and with direct connections to the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, Venlo allows brands to reach tens of millions of customers rapidly.
Preferential business environment
With services like bonded warehousing and tax benefits, operating from Venlo offers clear administrative advantages. Under the Dutch Article 23 provision, import VAT on goods from outside the EU can be deferred and reported in the periodic VAT return instead of being paid upfront at customs. This arrangement improves cash flow and simplifies VAT compliance.
Fashion and e-commerce ecosystem:
Venlo contains a concentrated cluster of leading logistics companies, as well as brands with their own operations. With many specialists in fashion fulfilment services, brands can benefit from streamlined omnichannel fulfilment and scalable warehousing capacity designed for seasonal peaks.
Operational flexibility:
Dutch labour laws permit longer operating hours and more flexible shift patterns compared to neighbouring Germany. This means brands can significantly increase the productivity and responsiveness of their distribution centres while benefitting from quick access to the €65.6 billion German clothing market.
Venlo: Your gateway to Europe’s largest consumer markets
Venlo’s prime position on the Dutch-German border provides unparalleled access to several major European consumer markets. The city is located within a one-day trucking radius of Germany, the Benelux countries and France – facilitating rapid B2B and B2C fulfilment across some of Western Europe’s most lucrative markets.
Perhaps most importantly, Venlo provides direct access to the German fashion market. In 2024, consumers in Europe’s largest economy spent an estimated €65.6 billion on clothing.2 Therefore, fulfilling orders from Venlo enables brands to capture the substantial spending power of German consumers3 while benefiting from the operational advantages of Dutch infrastructure and regulations. For brands looking to consolidate European fulfilment services, this location-based advantage can directly translate into cost savings and improved customer satisfaction through faster, more reliable deliveries.
Multimodal connectivity that delivers supply chain resilience
Beyond its strategic location, Venlo offers world-class multimodal transport connectivity, providing brands with improved operational resilience and efficiency. By road, Venlo offers direct access to motorways A67 and A73 – key European transport corridors that connect the Benelux region with Germany’s industrial heartland.
Venlo’s rail infrastructure is equally impressive, featuring two major rail terminals with frequent connections to major cities. A third terminal was opened in 2020 – the largest inland rail terminal in the Netherlands.4 This significant rail capacity offers brands more sustainable alternatives to road transport while maintaining delivery reliability.
In addition, an inland barge terminal operated by ECT provides transport routes to the Port of Rotterdam five times per week and a similar number weekly to the Port of Antwerp. This interconnectedness enables a truly multimodal approach, enhancing supply chain resilience by offering backup options when one transport mode faces disruption. Brands also have more options for reducing their carbon footprint by avoiding road transport.
Expertise for impact: A specialised fashion logistics ecosystem
Venlo stands out not only for its excellent multimodal transport connections but also for its mature ecosystem of specialised fashion logistics expertise. With a high concentration of dedicated fashion logistics providers, Venlo excels in managing large order volumes, complex returns processing, value-added services, and scalable storage capacity to accommodate the seasonal peaks typical of fashion retail.
The region benefits from a skilled local workforce with expertise in fashion and e-commerce logistics. In addition, Venlo’s business-friendly logistics infrastructure includes services such as bonded warehousing. Brands can also defer import VAT with the Dutch Article 23 provision, facilitating cash flow and customs efficiency for imports.
This combination of advanced operational capabilities and regulatory advantages enables fashion brands to access flexible, reliable and innovative fashion fulfilment services tailored to the sector’s needs – from rapid scaling during peak seasons to expert reverse logistics. It’s no wonder that Venlo remains a chosen logistics hotspot for fashion and lifestyle brands looking to achieve efficient European omnichannel fulfilment.
Future-proofing your European fashion logistics operations
For procurement teams evaluating long-term logistics strategies, Venlo represents more than just operational efficiency; it offers a future-proof foundation for European growth. The city’s combination of strategic location, specialised expertise and continued infrastructure investment creates a flexible platform that can adapt to changing market demands while maintaining the speed and reliability that today’s consumers expect.
Brands seeking to optimise their European distribution strategy also need a strategic logistics partner with deep market knowledge and proven capabilities. The Venlo ecosystem offers access to operators who can onboard new brands quickly, scale capacity in line with your growth trajectory and provide the specialised services you need.
How could moving warehousing and distribution to Venlo transform your European logistics operations? Get in contact today for a free consultation with a Bleckmann expert and explore how our Venlo-based facilities can support your brand’s growth.
