Market Overview

Eastern European countries, like Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, are among the fast growers in Europe, in terms of GDP. Such strong economic performance is prompting countries in Eastern Europe to demand a greater say in the future of the European Union. With Germany dominating the logistics market, the eastern countries have a lot of work on their hands to increase their market share. In particular, East European countries need to address poor infrastructure, political corruption, lack of competitiveness, staff shortages, etc. While Germany and the United Kingdom remain the top e-tailing markets, the fastest growth is expected to take place in Eastern Europe, with Poland leading the growth. Rapidly growing online sales, a large consumer market, access to a relatively cheap labor force, and an established logistics market make Poland an exceptionally attractive location for international e-tailers. Existing online retailers are likely to continually expand their warehouse space in the coming years, while new market players may search for suitable facilities and supply chain operators. Increasing demand for appropriate distribution space, as well as tailored logistics services, puts pressure on developers and 3PLs to adjust their offer to meet these new requirements.

Despite the unstable environment, logistics operators have been clamping down cooperation year by year, offering a growing range of services with a modern technology and significant capacity. The logistics sector in Eastern Europe is a relatively young market. In Poland, there are currently 13.4 million sq. m of modern warehouses. Also driving this growth are the relatively cheap costs in CEE, which have attracted companies, such as Amazon (Slovakia) and Alibaba (Poland).

Scope of the Report

A complete background analysis of the CEE freight and logistics market includes an assessment of the economy and contribution of sectors in the economy, market overview, market size estimation for key segments, and emerging trends in the market segments, market dynamics, logistics spending by the end-user industries, and geographical coverage.

Key Market Trends

Growing E-commerce Propels Demand for the Logistics Industry

The logistics sector is restless by the growing demand for logistics services, which is generated by the boom and evolution of e-commerce. Contrary to the basic assumption, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have seen a robust growth in the industry and continue to dominate the European economy. The evolving e-commerce has put pressures on sales channels for faster delivery and optimum supply chain. This scenario brings opportunities for the third-party logistics and warehousing services. In the past, real estate and production were the factors driving CEE. Currently, e-commerce is in the same position, both in domestic, as well as foreign markets. Poland and the Czech Republic mainly export to the west, but currently Brexit is expected to affect the industry, and confidence in the region may benefit from the situation.  If firms cannot be located in the United Kingdom, they need to be on the continent. CEE is the current preferred location over western counterparts. But, as per the latest sources, most of the votes favored against Brexit. The e-commerce market in this region may be lagging behind other more mature European markets, but it is on its way to catching up over the next few years. Consumers are creating a rapidly growing demand toward a multi-channel market, for both products and services. Retailers, especially in the online food industry, are looking toward innovative e-logistics to help them grow in the future.

Poland-Largest Logistics Market in the Central and Eastern European Region

The Polish logistics market, the largest market in the Central and Eastern European region, has grown notably since the opening of its national borders. Poland is among the fastest-growing logistics markets in Europe, due to its strong value proposition, proximity to Western Europe, and extensive transportation infrastructure. The logistics market has been developing at a double-digit pace for several years. Historically, the majority of warehouse space was located in the Warsaw area. However, regional markets have been growing more dynamically and account for over two-thirds of the current market. With around 12 million sq m of modern logistics space across Poland, the majority of supply is concentrated in the five most-developed markets. Big-box logistics projects are generally located along motorways and exit roads outside of the administrative borders of the largest Polish cities, but there are also multiple projects within city borders, often for smaller occupiers, such as small business units (SBUs).

With the ever-increasing cross-border trade, the country is also looking into the modernization of border infrastructure with the cooperation of the neighboring countries, as this is vital and supplements the growth of cross-border trade. Located at a strategic geographical location connecting Western Europe with Russia and China, the cross trade (international road transport between two different countries performed by a road motor vehicle registered in a third country) through the country is also very high.

Competitive Landscape

The logistics market landscape of Central and Eastern Europe is fragmented in nature, with a mix of global and regional players. Many major Western European companies have factories in CEE because the cost of labor is low. It is known that the Western Europe is home to some of the global logistics giants. The aforementioned scenario has brought many western logistics players into the current market. Additionally, regional and global developers are adding new warehouses and distribution facilities at a record pace. The facilities and infrastructure can be built and operated at less cost in countries, like Poland or Czech Republic, and still serve markets of high-cost countries, such as Germany, Switzerland, and France. Furthermore, some of the logistics players are establishing logistics hubs in Central Europe and serve the Eastern European countries. For instance, DHL purchased 60,000 square meters of land at the Vienna Airport to act as a freighter hub for Eastern Europe, and opened up the region to all modes of transport. There have been significant merger and acquisition activities by the global logistics players to gain advantage of the Eastern European growing logistics market. For instance, by the end of 2017, Yusen Logistics acquired Tibbett Logistics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Keswick Enterprises Group.

Reasons to Purchase this report:

– The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

– Report customization as per the client’s requirements

– 3 months of analyst support

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Scope of the Market

1.2 Market Definition

1.3 Executive Summary

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.1 Study Deliverables

2.2 Study Assumptions

2.3 Analysis Methodology

2.4 Research Phases

3 MARKET INSIGHTS

3.1 Current Market Scenario

3.2 Technological Trends and Automation

3.3 Government Regulations and Initiatives

3.4 Brief on Freight Rates

3.5 Insights on Intermodal Transportation

3.6 Review and Commentary on CEE Countries’ Relation with Western European Countries (Analyst’s View)

3.7 Spotlight- Role of CEE Countries in Belt and Road Initiative

4 MARKET DYNAMICS (DRIVERS, RESTRAINTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES)

4.1 Drivers

4.2 Restraints

4.3 Opportunities

4.4 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

4.5 Industry Value Chain Analysis

5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

5.1 By Function

5.1.1 Freight Transport

5.1.1.1 Road

5.1.1.2 Shipping and Inland Water

5.1.1.3 Air

5.1.1.4 Rail

5.1.2 Freight Forwarding

5.1.3 Warehousing

5.1.4 Courier, Express, and Parcel

5.1.5 Value-added Services

5.1.6 Key Quantitative and Qualitative Insights on Other Emerging Areas, Such as Cold Chain Logistics, Return Logistics, and Logistics Tech Developments

5.2 By End User

5.2.1 Manufacturing and Automotive

5.2.2 Oil and Gas, Mining, and Quarrying

5.2.3 Distributive Trade (Wholesale and Retail Segments and FMCG included)

5.2.4 Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry

5.2.5 Construction

5.2.6 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical

5.2.7 Other End Users

5.3 By Geography

5.3.1 Poland

5.3.2 Czech Republic

5.3.3 Slovakia

5.3.4 Austria

5.3.5 Hungary

5.3.6 Croatia

5.3.7 Belarus

5.3.8 Romania

5.3.9 Rest of CEE

6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements

6.2 Market Concentration Overview

6.3 Strategies Adopted by Major Players

7 COMPANY PROFILES

7.1 Deutsche Post DHL Group

7.2 Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd

7.3 CEE Logistics AS

7.4 Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Ltd

7.5 CEVA Logistics

7.6 Raben Group

7.7 Kerry Logistics Network Limited

7.8 GIES Logistics

7.9 De Sammensluttede Vognmnd (DSV)

7.10 Rohlig Suus

* List not exhaustive

8 OTHER COMPANIES IN THE REPORT INCLUDE

8.1 Prologis, PKP Cargo, GEODIS, Kuehne + Nagel AG, Logicor, Gebrder Weiss, Feige, JAS Worldwide, Rail Cargo Logistics, CSAD Logistik

* List not exhaustive

9 APPENDIX

9.1 GDP Distribution, by Activity, Key Countries

9.2 Insights on Capital Flows

9.3 Economic Statistics -Transport and Storage Sector, Contribution to Economy of Key Countries

9.4 External Trade Statistics- Export and Import, by Product

9.5 Insights on Key Export Destinations

9.6 Insights on Key Import Origin Countries

10 DISCLAIMER

MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Function

Freight Transport

Road

Shipping and Inland Water

Air

Rail

Freight Forwarding

Warehousing

Courier, Express, and Parcel

Value-added Services

Key Quantitative and Qualitative Insights on Other Emerging Areas, Such as Cold Chain Logistics, Return Logistics, and Logistics Tech Developments

By End User

Manufacturing and Automotive

Oil and Gas, Mining, and Quarrying

Distributive Trade (Wholesale and Retail Segments and FMCG included)

Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry

Construction

Healthcare and Pharmaceutical

Other End Users

By Geography

Poland

Czech Republic

Slovakia

Austria

Hungary

Croatia

Belarus

Romania

Rest of CEE