Switzerland Logistics Market 2022
The report provides an overview of the Swiss logistics landscape, the logistics real estate market and sustainability in the logistics sector
- Anita Bleiker
- Holger Klatt
- Daniel Stocker
- Edwin Schwarzenberger
JLL has counted more than 1’200 buildings with logistics usages. The majority of commercial logistics buildings and spaces in Switzerland are used by their owners themselves. JLL has counted almost 300 logistics properties that are held for investment purposes and leased to tenants. The density of logistics buildings is the highest along the A1 motorway and around the large Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne metropolitan areas. A particularly large number of logistics properties are located within the Basel – Solothurn – Zurich triangle.
“For about one and a half years we have been receiving significantly more enquiries about logistics properties and the need for advice is increasing both among occupiers and landlords.“
Logistics companies’ need for space has been increasing for several years now, and investor interest in this asset class has now also been growing in recent years. The drivers of this trend are the ever-increasingly interconnected globalised economy and the growth of e-commerce. For instance, the Swiss Post delivered a record 202.1 million parcels last year (+37% com-pared to 2019).
However, supply cannot keep up with the increased demand. The shortage of large-scale logistics spaces and buildable parcels of land available near motorway access points and conurbations not only impedes the growth and further development of the logistics sector, but also means that companies often have to make compromises when deciding on site locations that cause operational disadvantages and greater traffic volume and (associated) environmental pollution.
“The Swiss logistics market has received a major growth boost, not least due to the pandemic. We expect this trend to continue in the coming years. This has also aroused the interest of international investors, which is not true to the same extent for real estate developers. More competition on the supply side would be desirable.“
The report of JLL also examines the advantages and disadvantages of domestic and foreign e-commerce suppliers as well as siting decisions and sustainability measures of selected players in the Swiss logistics sector.
