Logistics is the foundation of e-commerce. Strategically located warehouses, rapid distribution, and effective inventory management often determine the success or failure of an online store. Thus, the dynamic development of e-commerce shapes the warehouse market. This article will explain this synergy and the challenges the industry faces.
Warehouse Market in Poland in 2024
The warehouse market in Poland in 2024 was characterized by stabilization and maturity. According to a report by AXI IMMO, at the end of September 2024, the total resources of modern warehouse space in Poland reached almost 34 million sq m. This represents a 9% increase compared to the previous year.
Despite a 22% decrease in development activity, the vacancy rate remained at 8%. More than half of the transactions involved new contracts and expansions. There was a growing emphasis on adapting projects to tenants' needs. This suggests that developers and investors are focusing on the quality of delivered solutions, not just the quantity of completed investments.
New developments amounted to nearly 2 million sq m of warehouse space, according to a CBRE report for the third quarter of 2024. The companies that drive the most demand in this market are from the 3PL, manufacturing, and non-food retail sectors.
The Future of the Warehouse Market in the Coming Years
Experts predict that 2025 will bring a continuation of trends such as the growing importance of urban logistics, the development of sustainable and energy-efficient warehouses, and the pursuit of greater automation and robotization.
Undoubtedly, the growth of the e-commerce market generates a huge demand for warehouse space. Firstly, because the number of companies operating in the e-commerce sector is growing very rapidly – according to estimates, there could be 70,000 registered by the end of 2024. In the first half of 2024 alone, nearly 7,200 new enterprises, whose main activity is online retail, were entered into the National Court Register (information from PAP).
Secondly, not only are there more companies engaged in online sales, but also more consumers who are increasingly willing to make online purchases. As many as 79% of Polish internet users have ever made a purchase online (report "E-commerce in Poland 2024"). From a logical standpoint, more buyers mean a greater flow of goods. From a logistical standpoint, a greater flow of goods requires storing this increased number of products, both before shipping to customers and in the context of returns handling.
Thirdly, customer expectations for fast delivery are also increasing. Fulfilling the promise of 24-hour or even same-day delivery requires an extensive logistics infrastructure, locating warehouses in strategic locations, and investing in process automation. The same is required for efficient returns handling.
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Warehouse Space—Rent or Build?
A modern warehouse is not just space. We have already mentioned the importance of automation to streamline logistics processes—receiving deliveries, order picking, packing and shipping parcels, inventory management, and demand forecasting. Warehouse management systems (WMS) are helpful in warehouse management. They enable full control over the flow of goods, space optimization, and integration with tools like ERP systems or e-commerce platforms. Modern warehouses may feature autonomous vehicles and robots that streamline order picking. Employees can also use amenities like Pick-to-Light (P2L) or Pick by Voice (PbV).
Building a warehouse (approx. 1,000 sq m) costs 200-300 PLN/sq m, depending on the location and materials used. Equipping the hall to meet the requirements of modern logistics costs about as much. The advantage of investing in your own warehouse is the ability to rent out part of it to other companies, which allows for diversification of income sources and reduction of maintenance costs. Additionally, as the owner, you have full control over the space, technologies used, and adaptation of the facility to your business needs.
On the other hand, the still-developing warehouse market in Poland allows for renting space in modern, fully equipped facilities. They often have ecological certifications, such as BREEAM or LEED, confirming their energy efficiency and sustainable resource management. The rental cost of 1 sq m of warehouse space in 2024 ranged from 4 to almost 10 Euros per month. The maximum rate applies to space rental in Warsaw; rates were lower in the vicinity of other major cities.
A specific type of warehouse space usage is logistics outsourcing: dropshipping or fulfillment services. Dropshipping involves the online store passing orders directly to the supplier, who has them in their warehouses and handles the shipping. Fulfillment is a comprehensive service where the warehouse operator stores, packs, and ships products on behalf of the store, often offering additional services such as returns handling or order personalization.
Regardless of whether you decide to build a warehouse or rent space, you can cover the investment with financing for businesses. The PragmaGO x Przelewy24 Finance service allows for flexible expense management and adapting payments to business capabilities. The financing limit ranges from 3,000 to 150,000 PLN, and applying for it is simple and intuitive—it takes place in the Przelewy24 panel.
E-commerce and the Warehouse Market—Synergy Driving Development. Summary
The warehouse market and e-commerce operate like a flywheel—the development speed of one sector drives the development of the other. A dozen years ago, many online store owners started their businesses in a garage, personally packing orders and shipping parcels at the post office. Today, to meet the growing expectations of the market, e-commerce companies need much more: modern warehouses, process automation, and efficient logistics. The driving force behind these changes is the growing number of e-customers and increasing competition.
Companies that want to maintain a competitive edge must invest in efficient logistics and warehouse automation.
