Warehousing & Storage
The warehousing and storage segment consists of businesses operating storage facilities for all kinds of goods, including grain silos, storage tanks, general merchandise, and refrigerated warehouses. The industry also stores goods in foreign trade zones, furniture repositories and freezers.
The industry has grown over much of the five years since 2017- through 2022-23, with revenue projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.6% to £29.5 billion. The industry’s revenue is expected to expand in 2023-24, supported by greater demand for e-commerce, with a forecast 8.2% climb in revenue over 2023-24. In addition, over the five years through 2023-28, the UK warehousing and storage industry is expected to expand, while the average profit margin is forecast to inch upwards.
(Ibis World, 2023)
Industry
Challenges
- Brexit and post-Brexit bureaucracy
- The E-commerce and online retailing industry will add complexities to traditional warehousing services
- A short supply of high-quality and inexpensive warehouse space pushes up prices
- Recruitment
(Ibis World, 2023)
Investment
Opportunities
- Just In Time (JIT) inventory and Automation Systems
- Plans for services diversification and operations restructure
- Focus on expansion or organic business growth
- Exploration of overseas markets
(Ibis World, 2023; OakNorth Bank, 2023; Factory & Handling Solutions, 2022)