REBEL, the recommerce platform formerly known as Rebelstork, has expanded its operations in Kannapolis. The company, which handles the sale of returned and overstock home goods, has taken over a 279,000 square-foot building in Lakeshore Corporate Park, its only North Carolina location.
According to a press release from the City of Kannapolis, the move follows a rebrand that positions REBEL within the home goods category, offering items such as furniture, kitchenware, and bedding at discounted prices. Despite this new focus, sustainability continues to be a core element of their mission as the company aims to address the $1 trillion return crisis affecting the retail industry.
The expansion has been warmly welcomed by local officials. Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant expressed enthusiasm about REBEL’s mission aligning with the city’s values of sustainability and a circular economy. "We welcome REBEL, and their team to the City of Kannapolis. Their mission of sustainability and a circular economy is something we believe in. We look forward to supporting their corporate endeavors, hiring of employees and introducing them to our community," Hinnant stated, pointing to the convenience and the strategic benefits of Lakeshore Corporate Park’s location, as per the city's release.
Rowan County is also set to benefit from this corporate expansion, anticipating the creation of new jobs and a stronger local economy. "This expansion by REBEL highlights the critical role speculative building inventory plays in attracting and growing companies in Rowan County," Rod Crider, President and CEO of Rowan EDC told the City of Kannapolis. The region positions itself as an ideal hub for logistics and distribution, allowing ventures like REBEL to grow quickly, and efficiently, streamlined by available speculative development space.
REBEL's expansion into Rowan County reflects the area's suitability for companies in the logistics sector. As a certified B-Corporation, the venture-backed company is set to make a national impact from its Kannapolis operation, focusing on more eco-friendly retail practices that may influence other businesses.
