The warehouse market is of great importance for the development of the Polish economy. It not only supports the efficiency of logistics, but also attracts foreign investors and contributes to the development of the e-commerce sector. What a growth factor it is can be seen in the case of selected specific Polish municipalities that have become recognizable logistics hubs. Examples include Gądki near Poznań, Stryków near Łódź or Błonie, Pruszków and Janki near Warsaw – translates Maciej Kotowskidirector of the market research department at JLL, and points out that these communes are characterized by, among others, exceptionally low unemployment rate due to jobs generated by companies renting space in nearby warehouses. They also provide significant revenues for local governments (e.g. from CIT), which allows for further development of the infrastructure used by residents.
From new paths to e-commerce experiences
“The development of the warehouse sector means hundreds of new jobs – first at the stage of construction of the investment, and then after it is put into operation and handed over to the tenant. The new warehouse property also means facilities aimed at improving the local infrastructure – construction of additional roads, public transport stops, tidying up often neglected wastelands, and even land recultivation,” he notes Damian Kołata, partner, head of Industrial & Logistics Agency Poland, head of e-commerce CEE at Cushman & Wakefieldand adds that many new warehouse facilities result in an increase in the number of foreign direct investments and strengthening Poland’s economic brand on the international arena.
The impact of warehouse properties has a broader scope. An example may be the synergy of this sector with retail and improvement of the shopping experience of Polish consumers, especially in the context of the dynamically growing e-commerce market. According to Cushman & Wakefield’s report “Quo vadis e-commerce”, the most promising location for conducting e-commerce operations in CEE is Poland, which is also responsible for more than half of the turnover generated in this trade segment in the region.
“However, achieving such good results would not be possible without the development of warehouse properties intended for online trade and logistics companies. We are talking about both facilities with an area of over 100,000 sq m, as well as smaller buildings located within the largest cities,” he notes. Damian Kołata.
Gigantic growth
Only over the last decade, the total warehouse resources have increased from 8.2 million sq m. up to 34 million sq m This is a leap that has made Poland one of the largest logistics hubs in the region, boldly competing with the largest warehouse markets in Western Europe. In terms of market dynamics, we can compare ourselves with the largest ones, i.e. Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands. Moreover, in terms of demand, which exceeded 3.8 million sq m from January to September, we ranked second in Europe, just behind the German market (4.0 million sq m).
“A key factor in the development of the sector was the modernization and development of road infrastructure in the country. Investment plots near new expressways were quickly adapted by developers into distribution centers on a national or international scale. The transformation of the warehouse sector included several key stages. Nevertheless, the first boom investment, which transformed Poland into an important transit country, was associated with attracting companies such as Amazon and Zalando. They built their distribution centers here serving all of Europe,” he explains Anna Głowaczdirector of the industrial and logistics department, AXI IMMO.
It turned out to be another milestone for the sector COVID-19 pandemicwhich additionally accelerated the development of e-commerce and strengthened the importance of warehouses, which resulted in increased demand for logistics space close to large agglomerations.
“It was during this period that the total tenant activity approached or exceeded 6 million sq m each year. Thanks to modern warehouses and growing warehouse space, Poland has gained the status of a logistics center for international companies, which increases its investment attractiveness, supports the development of exports, shortens global supply chains and strengthens the country’s role as a logistics leader in Central and Eastern Europe,” he claims Anna Głowacz.
Polish warehouse market is one of the fastest growing in Europe, and therefore offers modern resources of a high technical standard.
As he notes Maciej Kotowskias much as 54 percent existing resources are facilities built in the last five years. Modern and high-quality facilities are very important for the development of many industries. The significant impact on Poland’s broadly understood economic growth is confirmed by, among others: industrial investments by companies from various sectors, e.g. the Bosch heat pump factory or the Mercedes-Benz production plant in the Jawor commune.
In the long term, the growth recorded by the warehouse sector will be supported by, among others, construction of strategic transport corridors in Europe. An example is Via Carpatialeading from Klaipėda in Lithuania, through Eastern Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, up to Thessaloniki, Greece.
“Moreover, this road corridor is an opportunity to attract valuable foreign investments to Eastern Poland, which will work to reduce economic disproportions between the east and west of the country and end the narrative about Poland A and B” – sums up Damian Kołata.
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