March 17, 2016 / Atlanta Business Chronicle

Author: Mark Elias

Williams-Sonoma Inc. will occupy a 1-million-square foot distribution center in Braselton, Ga., as the company retools its supply chain to be closer to Southeast customers.

The retailer known for its Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM), Pottery Barn and West Elm brands believes the move will also reduce outbound freight costs.

The Braselton distribution center, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, will be used for both home deliveries and for shipping products to its stores.

“We are further regionalizing our supply chain,” CEO Laura Alber said in a March 16 call with analysts. “We know that being closer to our customers is the key to faster and lower cost delivery.”

In January, Atlanta Business Chronicle reported Atlanta-based Ridgeline Property Group, backed by Ross Perot Jr.’s Hillwood Investment Properties, entered advanced talks with Williams Sonoma.

Ridgeline developed the 1.07-million-square-foot spec warehouse along Interstate 85. Braselton Commerce Center is the largest spec development for Ridgeline, which former Panattoni principals Mike Gray and Greg Thurman launched in 2014.