Ross Stores Will Build Bakersfield Distribution Center
The 1.75 million-square-foot facility in Bakersfield represents a $500 million investment by the retail company.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Commercial
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Ross Stores has announced plans to construct a 1.75 million-square-foot distribution center in Bakersfield, California. The project will involve a $500 million capital investment and is expected to create nearly 1,000 new jobs.
Why it matters
This investment supports the company's broader brick-and-mortar expansion strategy as it works to maintain growth. The development follows a positive second quarter in 2026 where the company reported a 10% increase in comparable sales.
The new site represents the 10th distribution center in the Ross network and requires a $500 million investment. The company recently expanded its retail footprint by opening 47 new stores earlier in 2026.
The players
Ross Stores
This off-price retail chain operates a national network of stores and maintains multiple regional distribution hubs.
Dollar Tree
This discount variety store chain competes in the retail sector and recently expanded its own distribution capacity in Arizona.
The details
The facility will be built in Bakersfield to enhance the company's existing supply chain capacity across its network, which currently includes sites in Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. This expansion comes after the company posted a 13% year-over-year increase in total sales during the second quarter of 2026.
Timeline
May 2026: Dollar Tree opened an Arizona distribution center.
Q2 2026: Ross reported a 13% increase in total year-over-year sales.
2027: Construction is scheduled to break ground.
Culture Shift
This move reflects a broader trend of major retailers bolstering their domestic supply chains to support physical store growth. By investing heavily in regional hubs, the company is mirroring the logistics scaling seen across the discount retail sector.
The project will create nearly 1,000 new jobs in the Bakersfield area, offering a significant boost to the local labor market. Residents can expect increased construction activity near the site when the facility breaks ground in 2027.
The takeaway
Large retailers are continuing to prioritize physical supply chain infrastructure to meet the demands of an expanding store footprint. This massive capital commitment highlights the confidence major chains have in the continued relevance of physical retail locations.
Further reading
For more on industry developments, visit Commercial.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Supply Chain Dive.
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