Yoox Net-a-Porter is opening a dedicated tech hub in London as part of plans to increase its technology team headcount.

The hub, which is set to open next March at White City Place in west London, will consolidate the luxury retailer’s UK technology teams across the UK.

The hub will be 70,000 sq ft and have capacity for 650 employees, who will work in collaboration with the retailer’s technology team in Bologna, Italy.

Yoox Net-a-Porter plans to increase its technology team by 20% to 1,000 employees across the UK and Italy as part of its five-year plan to drive mobile innovation.

The hub is being designed by architecture firm Grimshaw and the retailer said the office will reflect “the group’s unique position at the intersection of fashion and technology”.

Chief executive Federico Marchetti said: “We are capitalising on the growth of our global footprint.

“We believe our technology teams will thrive in a cutting-edge environment that reflects our values and vision for the future of online luxury retail.”

Chief information officer Alex Alexander added: “As Yoox Net-a-Porter grows, it is exciting to move into a new home for all of YNAP’s UK technologists that will inspire and facilitate creativity and innovation, enabling us to build even better retail and content experiences for our customers.”