14.03.2016
The rapid development of online retailers leads to changes in the market for warehouse space in Europe, which include the merger of logistics operators, bigger stores and larger investment transactions.
Average annual growth of 15% mark B2C sales (direct business to client) according to a report of CBRE-international consulting company. According to recent estimations sales in Europe will reach 500 billion euro in 2016 and over 600 billion in 2017. The enormity reached by internet marketing invariably lead to a change in its role as a client on the market of warehouse space but also as a key driver of change in the appearance of its property segment.
So far, Bulgaria can not offer large storage volumes needed by this type of traders, so this trend is not yet valid or the country. Another reason is that central European countries are at a crossroads as we are rather the final destination. However, Bulgaria is seen as a regional hub for online trading. The director of agency services of MBL – Mr.Hristo Assenov says that “Distinctive example in this aspect are H&M who chose Bulgaria for the construction of a logistics hub for the region". According to various reports 28% of consumers shop online in Bulgaria, for Europe the percentage is 63%. In this sense the growing of number of users and the volume of online marketing is inevitable while the couriers and 3PL operators to expand its operations in Bulgaria.
Current logistics organization can definitely be changed by the growth of online marketing. Orders are smaller in value but consumers buy more goods. This increases the share of the cost of logistics and transportation services which in return leads to the merging of logistics operators to optimize their costs. Examples include the merger between FedEx and TNT, XPO and ND Logistics, DSV and UTi and others.
