13. January 2026

How changing shopping habits will reshape warehouses and logistics by 2030

1. “Close-to-home” shopping is reshaping local supply chains 

Across Europe, neighborhood retail, retail parks and local shopping formats are gaining importance. Consumers increasingly expect convenience and speed, which is pushing companies to shorten delivery routes and relocate operations closer to end customers. In Poland, this trend is particularly visible in medium-sized cities, where retail and logistics are increasingly organized around regional rather than nationwide distribution models. 

Market data confirms the scale of this shift. The share of retail parks in Poland’s modern retail stock has more than doubled - from 9% in 2015 to 22% in 2025 - with the fastest growth recorded outside the largest metropolitan areas. At the same time, the urban logistics and last-mile segment in Europe is expanding faster than the overall logistics market, growing at an estimated rate of around 8–10% per year, driven by e-commerce and rising customer expectations. Spain offers a clear reference point, where proximity to consumers has become a structural driver of logistics development and both retail and distribution facilities are increasingly moving into regional cities. 

“Since 2020, retail parks have accounted for most new medium-sized retail developments in Spain - almost 80% of newly delivered space in 2024, mainly in regional cities. At the same time, rising last-mile costs are forcing companies to shorten delivery routes and redesign their distribution networks. The result is clear: logistics needs to be closer to the customer, more flexible and better integrated into local markets.” says Eduardo Feliciano, Business Director at Accolade in Spain. 

2. Automation is no longer an innovation - it is an operational necessity  

Labour shortages and rising employment costs mean that automation is no longer a strategic option but a requirement to maintain operational efficiency. Logistics, retail and e-commerce companies are increasingly planning future growth around automated processes - from order picking to handling growing online volumes. 

The European warehouse automation market is currently growing at an estimated annual rate of 14–20%, driven by workforce shortages, cost pressure and the continued expansion of e-commerce. In practice, this translates into growing demand for automation-ready facilities and solutions such as smart metering, which enable better control of energy consumption and operating costs.  

“The next three to four years may be the most transformative period for companies operating in retail, logistics and manufacturing in over a decade. We already see new tenant requirements and a growing role of automation. Although 2030 seems close, this period may fundamentally change how we think about the function and efficiency of warehouses.”  comments Joanna Sinkiewicz, Managing Director at Accolade in Poland. 

3. Light manufacturing: warehouses with an added function 

Disruptions to global supply chains have changed how companies approach risk management and operational continuity. Flexibility, safety stock and the ability to respond quickly to shifts in demand are becoming increasingly important. 

Eurostat data confirms this trend: more than one quarter of EU companies increased inventory levels after the pandemic. In the coming years, this will further strengthen demand for facilities combining logistics functions with light manufacturing, assembly or packaging - shortening time to market and increasing operational resilience. For the warehouse sector, this means a shift in the role of logistics assets, which are increasingly becoming integrated operational hubs rather than pure storage space. 

4. Artificial intelligence is transforming supply chain management 

Until recently, key logistics decisions - related to inventory levels, transport routes or order fulfilment - were made primarily by managers. Today, algorithms are increasingly taking over. Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday supply chain management, changing how demand is forecast, inventory is allocated, and transport is organized. 

Market data shows that the adoption of AI in logistics is accelerating rapidly, with forecast growth rates reaching several dozen percent annually through the end of the decade (Grand View Research). For the warehouse market, this means rising demand for facilities that go beyond storage and function as operational platforms capable of data integration, process automation, and rapid response to changing demand. Competitive advantages will belong to companies that treat AI not as a technological experiment, but as a core operational tool. 

5. Multi-storey warehouses will reshape cities 

Pressure for fast delivery is pushing logistics deeper into urban areas. In response to limited land availability and growing urbanisation, multi-storey warehouse developments are gaining traction across Europe. These assets allow logistics functions to be concentrated on smaller plots of land, closer to consumers. 

In Poland, this trend is still emerging, but early projects already demonstrate that multi-level logistics solutions are viable in the local market. The continued growth of e-commerce and customer expectations for rapid home delivery mean that cities will increasingly need to treat logistics as part of their core infrastructure. In the years ahead, this could significantly influence building design, operational models and urban planning across major agglomerations. 

 

Sources: 

Colliers, Retail parks: Diverse Growth, Shared Momentum, 2025 

Grand View Research; Growth Market Reports, Europe Last Mile Delivery Market Outlook, 2023–2030