According to www.supplychaindive.com, Shein has opened a 737,000-square-foot automated distribution center in Lebanon, Indiana, with operations scheduled to begin this month.
Facility Specifications and Technology
The new facility features a goods-to-person fulfillment system designed to enhance both operational efficiency and employee safety. It is part of Shein’s broader U.S. infrastructure expansion, which includes 2.5 million square feet of fulfillment space across Indiana. The center represents a strategic investment in domestic logistics automation amid growing e-commerce demand.
The warehouse leverages advanced automation technologies to streamline order processing and reduce manual handling. According to the report, the facility’s design directly supports faster throughput and improved labor conditions — particularly relevant given rising scrutiny on warehouse working environments.
This deployment follows Shein’s earlier operational presence in Whitestown, Indiana, where it operated as of July 30, 2023. Central Indiana remains a core U.S. fulfillment hub for the retailer, anchoring its North American supply chain network.
Timeline and Context
The grand opening was announced in a press release dated Sept. 10, 2026, and the article was published on Sept. 14, 2026. The timing aligns with Shein’s accelerated U.S. market penetration and reflects ongoing adjustments to global sourcing and distribution strategies.
Kelly Stroh, Senior Editor at Supply Chain Dive, authored the report. The source states that the facility is slated to begin operations “this month,” indicating immediate activation following the September 2026 announcement.
While the article does not cite specific staffing targets or throughput metrics, it emphasizes that the automation platform is purpose-built to scale fulfillment capacity without proportional labor growth — a key consideration for retailers navigating wage inflation and labor shortages in the U.S. warehousing sector.
Source: Supply Chain Dive
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
