Meet&CoNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kirkland’s, a specialty home décor retailer, is currently facing operational challenges with its online order fulfillment system. This disruption stems from significant damage sustained by the company’s primary e-commerce distribution facility located in Jackson, Tennessee, during a severe weather event on May 20th. The affected center occupies approximately 771,000 square feet.
In an official communication to customers, Chief Executive Officer Amy Sullivan confirmed that while all personnel present at the facility emerged safely, the storm inflicted structural damage on a section of the building. This incident has necessitated the temporary suspension of certain online order processing capabilities and rendered a substantial portion of inventory housed at the Jackson center unavailable for direct-to-consumer shipment.
Reports indicate that a tornado impacting the vicinity of Jackson caused substantial damage to the distribution center, including the displacement of sections of the roof. According to Eric Turner, Fire Chief of the Jackson Fire Department, approximately 75 employees were onsite when the storm struck. Chief Turner commended the facility’s management for their prompt response in directing staff to designated shelter areas upon receiving the tornado warning, a measure believed to have prevented potential injuries from airborne debris.
Ms. Sullivan further stated that Kirkland’s response teams are diligently working on a continuous basis to expedite the restoration of standard operational functions, prioritizing both speed and safety throughout the recovery process. Notably, the Jackson facility became the company’s consolidated e-commerce hub following the closure of fulfillment centers in North Las Vegas and Winchester, Virginia, during 2023.
To mitigate the impact on customer access to merchandise, Kirkland’s is actively encouraging patrons to utilize its physical retail locations. The company also recommends the “buy online, pick up in-store” (BOPIS) option available through its website. Additionally, as a goodwill gesture, Kirkland’s is extending a special 20% discount offer to customers throughout the month of June.
