IN Brief:
- 47% of surveyed occupiers expect to expand within 12 months.
- Demand splits: 3PLs target existing units, retailers lean build-to-suit.
- Power, automation, and EV fleet electrification are tightening site requirements.
A majority of UK warehouse occupiers are planning to expand their footprint, according to a new Future Space survey commissioned by Tritax Big Box and conducted by Analytiqa. The findings point to a market where demand is not merely holding steady; it is changing shape, as occupiers chase space that can support higher automation loads, more complex outbound profiles, and the electrical infrastructure required for electrified fleets.
The survey — based on responses from 400 senior logistics decision-makers — found that 47% plan to increase footprint within the next 12 months, while 64% expect to expand over the next one to three years. Sentiment is also turning: 32% said the market is better than 12 months ago, and 43% expect further improvement over the coming year.
The details show a bifurcation in how space is being sourced. Third-party logistics providers are more likely to target existing units, a pattern consistent with contracts that demand speed to operational readiness and a preference for locations that already work for multi-client networks. Retailers, by contrast, are increasingly seeking build-to-suit solutions, reflecting the realities of automation integration, mezzanine requirements, yard depth, and charging infrastructure for electric vans and HGVs.
Power is emerging as a gatekeeper rather than a utility line item. In the Tritax/Analytiqa dataset, 36% cited power availability as a barrier to expansion, and 82% expect power needs to increase over the next 12 months. That aligns with the technology roadmaps occupiers are already pursuing: 59% expect to adopt AI-powered planning or operational tools, 56% anticipate using electric delivery vans, and 55% expect to deploy robotics and automation within the same timeframe. Those initiatives pull demand forward, but they also narrow the pool of viable sites, particularly where grid upgrades are slow or uncertain.
Location preferences remain pragmatic. The Midlands continues to dominate as the most popular region for expansion, supported by central access, established logistics labour pools, and the familiar density of transport infrastructure. Yet the constraints are tightening, with suitable large-box options under pressure from both new entrants and existing occupiers reconfiguring networks for next-day and same-day fulfilment.
“Businesses are taking steps to increase capacity and enable growth,” said Henry Stratton, Investment Manager, Tritax Big Box. “As and when confidence in the UK economy increases, and e-commerce and onshoring trends continue to drive demand, this should help bolster the UK logistics market.” The survey also suggests a shift in manufacturing posture, with 42% of manufacturers saying they are considering near-shoring or onshoring.
The near-term implication is that expansion will increasingly be decided by infrastructure readiness, not just rent and access. Grid connection timelines, available power density, and the ability to retrofit automation safely into existing units will separate “available” space from “usable” space — and push more occupiers towards build-to-suit where the numbers can be made to work.
