Continental European markets are set to experience some of the fastest growth in e-commerce logistics over the next four years, as their share of online spend starts to catch up with markets like the UK and Sweden, according to the latest research by CBRE.
Continental European markets are set to experience some of the fastest growth in e-commerce logistics over the next four years, as their share of online spend starts to catch up with markets like the UK and Sweden, according to the latest research by CBRE.
France, for example, is forecast to see an 11% per annum growth rate in e-commerce transactions between 2016 and 2019, while Germany should experience growth of around 10%.
Driven by a strengthening European economy and a resulting increase in private consumption, the scope for an increase in online shopping is due to be far greater in continental Europe over the coming years. This is compared to already established markets such as the UK, which currently accounts for one in three of all European purchases made by consumers over the internet.
E-commerce continues to change the industrial and logistics landscape, with the ‘final mile’ of delivery becoming an important battleground. Operators are creating networks whereby a string of smaller, city fringe delivery sites can be supplied through one or more larger ‘hub’ warehouses in strategic locations.
'Occupier demand for industrial and logistics space in 2015 was exceptionally strong, largely due to retailers taking extra space to support the increasing popularity of online shopping,' commented Machiel Wolters, head of industrial & logistics research at CBRE.
'At the moment supply and demand is well balanced in most European markets, and looks set to stay that way. In countries such as France and Germany, however, we are predicting a significant uptick in e-commerce due to growing consumer expenditure in combination with an increased appetite for online shopping.'
