Demand for logistics space hits record levels as e-commerce boom continues

Demand for UK logistics and distribution space reached record levels in the third quarter of 2020 as retailers and 3PLs (third party logistics) expanded their supply chains in response to the ongoing pandemic, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

Take-up in the North West region reached 1.41 million sq ft in the third quarter, taking the total take-up figures for the first three quarters of 2020 to 3.51 million sq ft – up 55% on the same period last year.

Rob Taylor, partner, logistics & industrial at Cushman & Wakefield in Manchester, said: “There was another strong quarter for take-up in the North West with the region continuing to demonstrate strength and resilience.

“We are now seeing deals being agreed at rental levels of £7/sq ft and beyond in the 100,000 sq ft-plus market, and as these complete over the coming months we anticipate continued rental growth across the region.

“Recent developer demand for good quality, well located sites in the region shows the commitment to the sector and with further speculative development across most size ranges mooted for the region, the future in this region looks strong.

“It looks likely, notwithstanding the fear of a ‘second spike’, that demand for online retail will remain robust and that consumer habits have changed within a much wider demographic than before, particularly amongst the older generation.

“As they have been forced to embrace such behaviours, they have realised the benefits of shopping online and the retention of these consumers looks high.

“This will only serve to increase demand for warehouse space, last-mile delivery centres and smaller fulfilment centres close to large populations.”

On a national level, the firm’s research revealed the third quarter of the year was the busiest on record with 16 million sq ft of space transacted, nearly double the 10-year average for Q3 of 8 million sq ft.

The figures indicate a further acceleration in demand for logistics and distribution space to keep pace with the boom in e-commerce.

In total, e-commerce has accounted for 40% of take-up so far this year – an all-time high – with related sectors including meal kit operators, parcel delivery and fulfillment companies also expanding.

Reflecting the ongoing pandemic response, several short-term requirements have developed into long-term commitments during the quarter, including Supply Chain Co-Ordination (NHS/Clipper Logistics) leasing 536,991 sq ft at DIRFT in Northampton on a five-year term for PPE storage.

The data also shows that take-up for the first nine months of the year reached 35.5 million – excluding 3.7m sq ft of short-term deals – with a further 11.5 million sq ft currently under offer.

It means that take-up has already outstripped the full-year take-up for 2019 of 33.2 million sq ft with 2020 on course to set a record for take-up.

Amazon continued to expand its big box and last-mile network during the quarter, taking 2.3 million sq ft at Panattoni Park in Swindon, which was the largest deal in quarter three. The online retailer accounts for one third of all take-up this year so far, acquiring 11.5 million sq ft in total.

Record take-up levels, combined with a slowdown in speculative development, meant there was an 11% drop in supply during the quarter with total availability falling to 66 million sq ft. Supply is now below its historical average across all regions bar the Midlands and the South East, with the North West recording the sharpest year-on-year decline in availability (-39%).

Bruno Berretta, associate director, UK industrial & logistics research and insight at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “Whilst the pandemic has taken centre stage over the last few months, investors and occupiers are now starting to turn their attention towards Brexit.

“Although the outcome of ongoing negotiations is uncertain, and some sectors such as manufacturing are arguably more vulnerable to a ‘hard’ Brexit than others, the market is about to enter some potentially disruptive months in good shape.

“Demand has proved resilient and supply is in line with its long-term average and 30% below its post-GFC peak.”

From an investment perspective, volumes recovered some of the lost ground during quarter three, rising 77% quarter-on-quarter to £1.65bn, on a par with Q3 2019.

As a result, at £4bn, transactions year-to-date are now only eight per cent below 2019 levels.

However, the research also revealed that the number of deals is down sharply by 45%, suggesting that larger deals have retained their market appeal as certain investors continue to scale up. Overseas investors account for almost 50% of total investment so far this year.