Number of warehouse companies in the UK 2008-2021

One of the knock-on effects of rising e-commerce sales has been the increased demand for warehouse and storage facilities. The pressure for speedy deliveries makes not only big box warehouses, but also warehouses in the immediate vicinity to big cities, especially sought after.

Warehouse and storage companies

The need for industrial and logistic real estate has meant that the number of companies offering these facilities has grown significantly in the United Kingdom (UK) over the past ten years. Between 2008 and 2017, the number of warehouse and storage enterprises in the UK has increased from under three thousand to close to over 11 thousand. In the next four years, the number of companies declined, reaching about five thousand in 2021. 

Rental costs

Rental costs for prime industrial real estate can significantly vary depending on the location. For example, real estate in London is significantly pricier than in any other UK city. In terms of industrial yields, on the other hand, London scores lowest, while Glasgow, Newcastle and Cardiff score highest.