International consulting company Cushman & Wakefield has published its first report titled “Waypoint 2025”, presenting forecasts for the global logistics and industrial real estate market.
Navigating Industrial Real Estate in a Changing Global Landscape
The industrial real estate sector is evolving, shaped by new challenges and opportunities. With global supply chains rebalancing and businesses rethinking their strategies, staying informed about both regional trends and global patterns is more critical than ever.
Waypoint: Global Industrial Dynamics 2025 is a brand-new global report, offering you a panoramic view of the industrial real estate market across the Americas, APAC and EMEA. Waypoint decodes for you the underlying forces shaping performance—from structural demand drivers to market recalibrations and emerging strategies.
KEY GLOBAL THEMES
A Moderating Market, not a Retreat
Industrial markets globally are coming off a historic high. Although leasing activity has slowed, the adjustment has been measured and, despite short-term turbulence, is set to continue to be buoyed by long-term drivers of demand.
Redefining Value
Occupiers and investors alike are recalibrating what constitutes value. Functional efficiency, connectivity, ESG compliance, energy availability and labour access all go into the mix, alongside real estate costs including rent. This has implications for supply chain design, site selection, and portfolio strategy.
Capital Flows in Flux
As capital markets adjust to higher interest rates, liquidity has become more selective. Yet long-term investor confidence remains strong, especially in core logistics markets and infill locations where fundamentals continue to support future growth.
REGIONAL INSIGHTS
Americas
Markets across North and South America may be at different stages of the cycle, but common threads are emerging. Businesses are rethinking supply chains, exploring the potential of nearshoring, and continuing to see strong demand for infill and last-mile space in major urban areas.
EMEA
Europe, the Middle East and Africa are experiencing a varied recovery shaped by shifting occupier strategies, inflation, regulation, and sustainability imperatives. Vacancy rates remain low in core hubs, while structural demand continues to outpace new supply in select submarkets. Investors continue to have strong conviction in the sector and more capital is actively targeting logistics & industrial assets in the region.
APAC
APAC remains a dynamic and diverse region, where logistics demand is driven by population growth and urbanisation, e-commerce, and manufacturing shifts. Occupiers are adapting to rapidly changing consumer bases, while investment appetite varies widely across markets.
WHY WAYPOINTS MATTERS
A waypoint marks a critical moment in any journey—a chance to pause, assess, and determine the best path forward. In today’s complex industrial landscape, Waypoint offers just that: data and insights to help investors, occupiers, and developers make confident decisions.
This report goes beyond showing where markets are today—it helps you understand the forces shaping their future. Whether you’re expanding into new regions, rebalancing your portfolio, refining your occupational strategies or deploying capital with greater precision, Waypoint equips you with the clarity and perspective needed to make your next move count.
Download the full report to explore global patterns and regional strategies shaping the future of industrial real estate.
AUTHORS
Sally Bruer
Head of EMEA Logistics & Industrial and Retail Research
London, United Kingdom
Michal Toporowski
Associate, EMEA Logistics & Industrial and Retail Research
London, United Kingdom
Jason Price
Senior Director, Americas Head of Logistics & Industrial Research, Global Research
Iselin, United States
