Report | Creating Resilience
European Logistics Occupier Survey 2025
July 18, 2025 3 Minute Read
Executive Summary
This year's survey takes a closer look at leasing conditions, idle space, and other critical factors influencing the sector.
Expansion Plans
Despite the renewed uncertainty, in the next three years, nearly half of occupiers plan to expand their logistics footprint in Europe over the next three years. While this represents a mild decrease compared with last year, occupiers’ plans reflect a normalised market, soon to be back to healthy but sustainable growing levels.
Expansionary sentiment differs more than ever when considering occupier sector. 3PL companies are mildly increasing their expansionary appetite, with over 71% of the respondents from the sector expressing intentions to increase their European logistics portfolio.
Occupier Challenges
Economic uncertainty, cost escalation, and labour shortages are now the top business challenges for occupiers. The latter is also reshaping location decisions, making labour availability the most decisive factor.
While rents and rental increases remain the primary real estate challenge for 60% of occupiers, they have also given way to other growing concerns such as obsolescence and sustainability.
Future-proofing facilities is becoming top of mind, with 53% of respondents prioritising modern warehouses over traditional warehouses in all their expansion and relocation moves.
Location and Building Preferences
The changes in market conditions have allowed occupiers to become more selective in their building and location choices. Higher vacancy levels in the market now allow for more thorough selection processes.
Building design, power supply, and sustainability features are some of the factors that have increased the most in relevance over the last two years. Beyond a shift towards higher-quality buildings, these findings reflect a growing focus on future-proofing portfolios.
Sustainability Considerations
Sustainability targets are delayed but still in focus – 50% of occupiers have set goals to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. Demand for net zero ready facilities, offering renewable energy use and potential cost savings, is rising. Additionally, 37% of respondents report already implementing green clauses across their logistics portfolios.
Stay at the forefront of European logistics with our 2025 Occupier Survey. Gain industry insights and data-driven trends to inform your strategy, navigate challenges, and unlock opportunities today.
Contacts
Jack Cox
Managing Director, Head of European Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets
Mark Cartlich
Head, Pan-Eur Occ Market Rsch
