Warehouses

The report, entitled “JLL’s U.S. IND Market Dynamics Q3,” stated that third-quarter leasing volume reached 146.2 million square feet (MSF), marking the highest level of leasing activity since the first quarter of 2024 (and 387.1 MSF year-to-date).

A key thesis in the report was focused on how the pairing of strong leasing and a decline in new construction held the overall quarterly vacancy rate at 6.6%, which the firm said reversed a stretch of quarterly losses that had been intact going back to the second quarter of 2022.

Volatility is no longer the exception — it's the norm. Between shifting order volumes, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions, warehouse leaders are under pressure like never before. But here's the twist: smart, data-driven teams are turning disruption into advantage.

In its “Q2 U.S. Industrial Market Report,” the firm observed that second quarter net national absorption, at 29.9 million square-feet (MSF), was in line with the first quarter’s 30.3 MSF tally, adding that the second quarter output came in ahead of expectations, and also that demand was paced by “newly built logistics product,” which the firm defines as warehouses built since 20023.

More companies are adopting robots to improve productivity, reduce physical strain, and offset workforce gaps.

In this podcast, Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman interviews Melinda McLaughlin, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Research, for Prologis.

DHL Supply Chain described this deal as a strategic move to further enhance its e-commerce capabilities, as well as extend its services to small and midsized customers. IDS Fulfillment brings more than 1.3 million square-feet of multi-customer warehouse and distribution space throughout the U.S.

Hamilton Beach optimized its new distribution center with electric lift trucks and high-density racking, reducing product damage by 80% and doubling e-commerce efficiency while advancing warehouse sustainability and safety.

The report, entitled “North American Big Box Industrial Overview,” observed that going back to 2020, the largest North American markets for big box industrial space—which includes modern distribution and warehouse buildings that are 200,000 square-feet or more and with ceiling heights at least 28 feet clear—have added what it called an unprecedented 1.3 billion SF (square-feet) of new supply, expanding the big-box market rate by nearly 50%.

DHL Supply Chain said that this acquisition will make it the largest North American-based provider of reverse logistics services.

Descartes said that the acquisition price was roughly $110 million.

One of the report’s key takeaways related to industrial markets by inventory was that developers continue to deliver modern facilities at what the firm called a “feverish” pace. Over the past four quarters, U.S. industrial inventory grew 4.1% annually, with the 25 largest markets expanding by an average of 3% annually.