E-Commerce Warehousing Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2025 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 47.60 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 64.32 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 6.21% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
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E-Commerce Warehousing Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The E-Commerce Warehousing Market size is estimated at USD 47.60 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 64.32 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.21% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Rapid online-retail expansion, intensifying same-day delivery expectations, and accelerating warehouse-automation investment underpin this growth path. Global retailers are channeling record capital into fulfillment infrastructure, evidenced by a USD 9 billion surge in United States warehouse construction that mirrors similar waves across Asia and Europe.
Automation adoption is rebounding after a brief 2024 pause, with new robotics orders set to expand as labor constraints and rising wages tighten operating margins. Asia-Pacific remains at the epicenter of capacity build-out, driven by China’s logistics-modernization agenda and India’s escalating rental rates, while North American operators fine-tune networks to balance post-pandemic overcapacity and micro-fulfillment rollouts. DHL, GXO, and UPS continue to outspend peers on robotics, AI, and cold-chain infrastructure, signaling a competitive tilt toward technology leadership.
Key Report Takeaways
- By warehouse type, fulfillment centers led with 41% of the E-commerce warehousing market share in 2024, whereas dark stores and micro-fulfillment centers are advancing at a 12.22% CAGR to 2030.
- By service type, storage services accounted for 40% of the E-commerce warehousing market size in 2024; value-added services are projected to expand at a 9.22% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By automation level, semi-automated facilities contributed 43% of the E-commerce warehousing market size in 2024 and are rising at an 8.99% CAGR through 2030.
- By end-user, apparel & footwear held 27% of the E-commerce warehousing market size in 2024, while grocery & FMCG is forecast to post a 12.11% CAGR to 2030.
- By geography, Asia-Pacific commanded 38% of the E-commerce warehousing market share in 2024, maintaining the strongest 9.20% CAGR outlook to 2030.
Global E-Commerce Warehousing Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explosive online-order growth | +2.1% | Asia-Pacific and North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Rapid 3PL & multi-client fulfillment uptake | +1.8% | Europe and North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Same-day delivery push fueling micro-FCs | +1.5% | Urban centers worldwide | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Rising returns spurring reverse logistics | +1.3% | Developed high-penetration markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| AI-enabled inventory visibility | +1.2% | Digitally mature markets | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Government incentives for automation | +0.8% | North America, Europe, selective Asia-Pacific economies | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Explosive Online-Order Growth
E-commerce captured 56% of United States retail-sales growth in 2024, spurring demand for 250 million to 350 million sq ft of additional logistics space by 2030 as penetration approaches 30%. Southeast Asia illustrates the global pattern, where online sales quintupled between 2016 and 2021 and could reach USD 230 billion by 2026[1]David Upton, “Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales 2024 Q4,” U.S. Census Bureau, census.gov. Cross-border giants such as Shein and Temu are ramping United States warehouse leasing, with Chinese operators absorbing 20% of new space in 2024, including 5.6 million sq ft in New Jersey alone. These dynamics reinforce sustained capacity additions and broaden the opportunity set for multi-market logistics providers.
Rapid 3PL & Multi-Client Fulfillment Adoption
Ninety-five percent of shippers reported successful third-party logistics relationships in 2024, with the global 3PL sector forecast at USD 1.3 trillion the same year. Multi-client models enhance asset utilization and risk distribution, while 87% of logistics providers have maintained or increased technology budgets since 2020 to embed automation, IoT, and AI solutions. Labor expenses and space scarcity challenge short-term margins, yet the structural shift to outsourced fulfillment continues to deepen.
The Push for Same-Day Delivery Driving Micro-Fulfillment Centers
Amazon has doubled its same-day hubs, extending coverage to 140 metropolitan areas. Facilities of 5,000-10,000 sq ft positioned inside dense urban zones compress last-mile costs. Walmart expects automated fulfillment nodes to reach 65% of stores by 2026, channeling 55% of volume through robotic systems. Grocery operators face USD 18.5 billion in 2024 labor spend for in-store picking, a cost burden hastening micro-FC automation.
Soaring Returns Rate Driving Reverse-Logistics Space
Consumer returns hit USD 890 billion in 2024, with online orders logging a 17.6% return rate, nearly twice in-store levels. Specialized facilities equipped for inspection, grading, and repackaging are essential; DHL’s acquisition of Inmar added 14 return centers and 800 staff, making it North America’s largest reverse-logistics operator. Apparel return rates topping 35% underscore the scale of re-processing needed.
AI-Driven Inventory Visibility & Dynamic Slotting
AI in manufacturing is set to rise from USD 3.2 billion in 2023 to USD 20.8 billion by 2028. Modern WMS platforms deliver 25% productivity gains and elevate order accuracy above 99%. DHL integrates generative interfaces and predictive models across its network, while Amazon devoted USD 87.01 billion of 2024 R&D outlays to robotics and AI.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escalating warehouse rental & labor costs | -1.4% | Developed markets | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Post-pandemic regional over-capacity | -0.9% | North America and Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Data-privacy constraints on foreign operators | -0.6% | Global, acute in US-China trade | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Shortage of robotics-engineering talent | -0.5% | Digitally advanced economies | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Escalating Warehouse Rental & Labor Costs
United States warehouse expenses jumped 8.3% between 2022-2024, pushing storage rates to USD 8.31 per sq ft. Labor now absorbs 50-70% of budgets, with hourly wages at USD 16.95. Manila posted 39.3% rental growth, while Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi-NCR recorded increases of 9.3%, 6.4%, and 5.9% respectively.
Regional Over-Capacity from Post-Pandemic Build Cycle
Sublease space in the United States reached a record 199 million sq ft during Q3 2024, a 45% year-over-year increase. Vacancy rates climbed to 6.7%, easing upward pressure on rents. Europe mirrored the trend as logistics take-up fell from 46 million sqm in 2022 to 31 million sqm in 2023, though new supply is now retreating sharply.
Segment Analysis
By Warehouse Type: Dark Stores Lead Urban Fulfillment
Fulfillment centers accounted for 41% of the E-commerce warehousing market size in 2024, underpinned by strategic proximity to population hubs and extensive automation investments. Amazon’s network pivot to eight regional mini-hubs lifted same-day deliveries 65% in 2024. Meanwhile, dark stores and micro-fulfillment centers are on course for a 12.22% CAGR, enabled by 5,000-10,000 sq ft footprints that unlock rapid urban coverage. Save A Lot’s Brooklyn micro-FC, powered by Fabric robotics, shows 30-minute order cycles via Uber Eats collaboration. Cold-chain logistics remains a specialized expansion front, buoyed by Lineage’s USD 5 billion IPO and investors’ enthusiasm for temperature-controlled yields.
The reverse-logistics sub-class is scaling as fashion and electronics returns rise, while bonded warehouses grow steadily in response to evolving customs regimes. Distribution centers continue to serve hybrid B2B/B2C channels but face slower growth than specialized e-commerce nodes.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Service Type: Value-Added Services Climb
Semi-automated sites held 43% of 2024 revenue and post the highest 8.99% CAGR outlook, balancing ROI and operational flexibility. Roughly 25% of global warehouses feature at least one automation subsystem today compared with 5% a decade ago. Manual facilities persist among smaller shippers, yet wage inflation and workforce scarcities accelerate migration. Fully automated nodes represent the technological frontier; Amazon surpassed 750,000 deployed robots in 2024, but high capital intensity confines wide adoption to large-volume operators.
By Automation Level: Semi-Automated Solutions Prevail
Semi-automated sites held 43% of 2024 revenue and post the highest 8.99% CAGR outlook, balancing ROI and operational flexibility. Roughly 25% of global warehouses feature at least one automation subsystem today compared with 5% a decade ago. Manual facilities persist among smaller shippers, yet wage inflation and workforce scarcities accelerate migration. Fully automated nodes represent the technological frontier; Amazon surpassed 750,000 deployed robots in 2024 but high capital intensity confines wide adoption to large-volume operators.
By End-User Industry: Grocery Accelerates
Apparel & footwear captured 27% of revenue in 2024, sustained by SKU proliferation and a 35% average online return rate. Grocery & FMCG show the steepest 12.11% CAGR through 2030 as online grocery adoption and cold-chain builds gather pace; Walmart’s five automated fresh-food DCs, each 700,000 sq ft, exemplify the investment scale. Consumer electronics maintain steady expansion anchored in security and climate control needs, while pharmaceuticals and beauty leverage high-margin, compliance-driven logistics offerings.
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific retained 38% of the E-commerce warehousing market share in 2024 and continues to post the strongest 9.20% CAGR, propelled by China’s push toward smart supply-chain networks and India’s surge in Grade-A space. India’s prime cities now rank among Asia’s top logistics hubs as e-commerce and manufacturing inflows converge. The region also benefits from rapid cross-border trade within ASEAN, where digitally native consumers demand shorter delivery lead times.
North America sits as the second-largest contributor, supported by mature infrastructure and technology adoption. The E-commerce warehousing market size here is strengthening through targeted automation despite regional over-capacity. Sublease inventories have reached historic highs, yet projects that embed robotics and micro-fulfillment gain landlord and investor preference. Government incentives such as the CHIPS Act further catalyze warehouse modernization investments.
Europe’s market is normalizing after its pandemic boom. Vacancy increases have tempered rental spikes, but demand is stabilizing as omnichannel retail matures and e-grocery penetration broadens. Logistics take-up is expected to rebound in late-2025, with pro-forma annual rental growth of 2.7% between 2024-2028. Sustainability mandates—ranging from energy-efficient buildings to green-transport linkages—shape new facility specifications.
Middle East and Africa record smaller yet fast-maturing footprints. Economic diversification programs, especially across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and rising smartphone adoption underpin long-term warehouse demand. Strategic ports and free-trade zones are luring global 3PLs seeking gateway positions into African consumer markets.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report
Competitive Landscape
The E-commerce warehousing market exhibits moderate fragmentation with accelerating consolidation. DHL’s USD 1.1 billion North-American healthcare logistics bet and its 1,000-robot Boston Dynamics deal spotlight a strategy to lock in sectoral niches and automation scale[2]Frank Appel, “DHL Group Annual Report 2024,” DHL Group, dhl.com. GXO’s bid for Wincanton and its reflex-robotics pilots indicate a parallel playbook in Europe. UPS’s USD 9 billion “Network of the Future” streamlines operations via 400 automated sorting facilities, trading legacy sites for high-throughput hubs[3]Carol Tomé, “UPS Q1 2025 Investor Presentation,” UPS, ups.com.
Technology partnerships feature prominently. Zebra Technologies’ USD 374 million Photoneo acquisition equips it with advanced 3D vision, while Honeywell’s tie-up with Berkshire Grey targets fourfold throughput gains in robotic picking. Cold-chain automation is another hotbed; Lineage’s IPO and projected USD 2 billion automation opportunity by 2030 entice new entrants and investors. Meanwhile, AI-centric startups such as Covariant explore takeover avenues that could further raise the innovation bar for incumbents.
Overall, the competitive narrative revolves around scale, automation sophistication, and niche service depth. Operators combining all three stand to secure superior contract economics as brands tighten vendor rosters.
E-Commerce Warehousing Industry Leaders
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DHL Supply Chain & Fulfilment
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GXO Logistics
-
CEVA Logistics
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UPS Supply Chain Solutions
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FedEx Supply Chain
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- May 2025: DHL Group signed an MoU with Boston Dynamics to deploy 1,000 Stretch robots, boosting unloading rates to 700 cases per hour and improving worker ergonomics.
- April 2025: DHL committed USD 1.1 billion to expand North American healthcare logistics under its DHL Health brand, adding nearly 600 specialized sites.
- March 2025: UPS unveiled plans to close 200 traditional sorting centers while investing USD 9 billion in 63 automation projects by 2028.
- February 2025: GXO Logistics launched a cash offer for Wincanton, seeking UK and European scale with expected GBP 45 million in synergy benefits.
Global E-Commerce Warehousing Market Report Scope
| Fulfilment Centres |
| Distribution Centres (DCs) |
| Cold-Chain Warehouses |
| Dark Stores / Micro-Fulfillment Centers |
| Others (reverse logistics hubs, bonded warehouses, hybrid-use spaces, etc.) |
| Storage |
| Picking & Packing |
| Value-Added Services and Others (kitting, labelling) |
| Manual |
| Semi-Automated |
| Fully Automated |
| Apparel & Footwear |
| Consumer Electronics |
| Grocery & FMCG |
| Pharmaceuticals, Beauty & Wellness |
| Home Essentials & Furnishings |
| Others |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Peru | |
| Chile | |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America | |
| Asia-Pacific | India |
| China | |
| Japan | |
| Australia | |
| South Korea | |
| South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Philippines) | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| Europe | United Kingdom |
| Germany | |
| France | |
| Spain | |
| Italy | |
| BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) | |
| NORDICS (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Middle East and Africa | United Arab of Emirates |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| South Africa | |
| Nigeria | |
| Rest of Middle East And Africa |
| By Warehouse Type | Fulfilment Centres | |
| Distribution Centres (DCs) | ||
| Cold-Chain Warehouses | ||
| Dark Stores / Micro-Fulfillment Centers | ||
| Others (reverse logistics hubs, bonded warehouses, hybrid-use spaces, etc.) | ||
| By Service Type | Storage | |
| Picking & Packing | ||
| Value-Added Services and Others (kitting, labelling) | ||
| By Automation Level | Manual | |
| Semi-Automated | ||
| Fully Automated | ||
| By End-User Industry | Apparel & Footwear | |
| Consumer Electronics | ||
| Grocery & FMCG | ||
| Pharmaceuticals, Beauty & Wellness | ||
| Home Essentials & Furnishings | ||
| Others | ||
| By Geography | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Peru | ||
| Chile | ||
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Asia-Pacific | India | |
| China | ||
| Japan | ||
| Australia | ||
| South Korea | ||
| South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Philippines) | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Europe | United Kingdom | |
| Germany | ||
| France | ||
| Spain | ||
| Italy | ||
| BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) | ||
| NORDICS (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Middle East and Africa | United Arab of Emirates | |
| Saudi Arabia | ||
| South Africa | ||
| Nigeria | ||
| Rest of Middle East And Africa | ||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How big is the E-commerce warehousing market in 2025?
The sector is valued at USD 47.60 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 64.32 billion by 2030.
What is the projected CAGR for E-commerce warehousing through 2030?
The market is expected to expand at a 6.21% CAGR during 2025-2030.
Which region leads in E-commerce warehousing capacity?
Asia-Pacific holds 38% of global revenue in 2024 and shows the fastest 9.20% CAGR outlook.
Which warehouse type is growing the fastest?
Dark stores and micro-fulfillment centers are advancing at a 12.22% CAGR, driven by same-day delivery demand.
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