The growth in online shopping is fuelling increased demand for large storage and distribution units, according to Colliers International.
Tim Davies, who heads Colliers’ Bristol office, said the surge in e-retailing had hit high street footfall but the flipside was increased demand for out of town warehousing units to provide the storage and distribution facilities required by on-line retailers.
Major retailers are scouring the region for large units capable of supporting the dramatic increase in online shopping.
“We are seeing retailers returning to the industrial sector to ensure they have adequate logistical support for the unexpectedly steep surge in online business,” said Davies.
He said the boom had originally been triggered by food retailers expanding their home delivery services – but had now spread to general retailers.
Online shopping analysts have reported a rise of almost 14 per cent on last year incorporating an even more dramatic 35 per cent increase in the number of people shopping for presents using mobile platforms.
