Industrial

Over the past decade, the way we shop has undoubtedly changed. With the evolution of e-commerce, subsequently, so has  industrial real estate. Increasing delivery speeds and near-immediate access to goods have become top priorities for consumers, pushing retailers and their supply chains to follow suit. The demand for warehouse space in close proximity to major highways and transit hubs has steadily increased. These locations allow for faster and more efficient deliveries to the end user. Over the past five years, the industrial real estate sector has experienced healthy growth while other sectors have struggled to maintain demand, further showcasing the correlation of growth to the rise in e-commerce. As online retailers continue to competitively decrease their shipping windows — think Amazon’s and Walmart’s one-day shipping policies — demand for last-mile delivery facilities has risen. The last mile refers to the final movement of goods from a warehouse or distribution center to a final destination. The need for modernized, last-mile facilities has increased  with the requirement to meet consumer demands and increase shipping speeds. Shifting Expectations Throughout the last few years, when it comes to shipping and delivery time frames, customer expectations have significantly increased. Ten years ago, it was expected …