Logistics Dashboard

The German logistics market achieved a take-up of 2.44 million m² (including owner-occupiers) in the first half of the year. After a subdued start to the year with a result of 1.02 million m², the market was able to increase both the amount of take-up as well as the number of contracts signed in the second quarter, rising noticeably to 1.42 million m², although this is still 16% below the previous year's figure and 24% below the ten-year average. The still rather weak economic development continues to have a dampening effect on demand. Companies are tending to postpone investment decisions and retain existing space if possible. This is because, on the one hand, rents have risen significantly and, on the other, the lack of available space at short notice remains a limiting factor in some markets. As a result, many companies are opting for lease extensions, which are not relevant for take-up. Nevertheless, the market in the second quarter was livelier than at the start of the year, particularly outside the major logistics hubs. Prime rents rose slightly in the second quarter only in Frankfurt (+1%) and Hamburg (+2%), while remaining stable in all other top markets.