1. From the traditional warehouse to the “smart warehouse”
Logistics warehouses are evolving towards intelligent infrastructures capable of integrating:
- Automated storage systems (AS/RS)
- Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)
- AI-powered warehouse management systems (WMS)
- IoT platforms for real-time monitoring
This shift responds to a clear trend: logistics automation in Europe will grow at a rate of 18.5% annually between 2024 and 2030, driving demand for technologically ready assets (“power-ready”).
Companies are no longer just looking for floor space, but rather warehouses with electrical capacity, connectivity and design adapted to automation.
2. New key requirements for logistics leasing
Energy and technological infrastructure
- High available electrical power
- Readiness for automated systems
- Advanced connectivity (fibre, IoT)
Flexibility and design
- Greater clear heights for vertical automation
- Modular spaces
- Rapid adaptation capacity (reduced fit-out)
Sustainability (ESG)
- 65% of future demand will be linked to carbon targets.
- Energy certifications and efficiency as a basic requirement
Strategic location
- Strengthening of regional networks due to geopolitics and nearshoring
- Greater emphasis on national distribution
3. Automation drives the “flight to quality”
One of the most significant phenomena is the so-called “flight to quality”, which is the tendency of companies to migrate from obsolete or inefficient facilities towards modern, premium warehouses and industrial parks:
- 70% of take-up in 2025 was in grade A warehouses
- Modern buildings capture the majority of demand
- Obsolete assets lose appeal or require substantial investment
This translates into greater competition for modern warehouses, resulting in clear price differentiation and occupancy velocity, and leading to an increase in turnkey projects
4. Which sectors are leading demand for smart warehouses
The transformation does not affect everyone equally. In 2025, the following stand out:
| Sector | Share of take-up |
|---|---|
| Logistics operators (3PL) | 45% |
| Retail / e-commerce | 16% |
| Manufacturing | 12% |
| Transport | 9% |
5. So, how should tenant companies adapt?
Faced with this new environment, companies seeking warehouses to let should prioritise:
Technology strategy
- Assess automation from the outset
- Integrate AI and analytics into operations
Location decisions
- Evaluate regional hubs versus last mile
- Analyse availability (especially in Catalonia)
Contractual models
- Explore build-to-suit
- Consider more flexible and adaptable contracts
About the article
This article has been prepared based on trend analysis of the Spanish logistics market, combining sector sources and data from JLL Research (Report “Logistics Market Dynamics Spain 4Q 2025”), which analyses the evolution of demand, supply, investment and the new drivers of the sector.
Pablo Fernández Gregorio is Head of Industrial & Logistics Leasing at JLL Spain, with extensive experience advising both owners and occupiers on logistics and industrial transactions nationwide. He leads the company’s Industrial & Logistics division, participating in some of the most significant transactions in the Spanish market and providing strategic insight into the evolution of demand, tenant requirements and the new standards of the sector.
For enquiries regarding the logistics market, leasing transactions or occupancy strategies:
Email: pablo.fernandez@jll.es
You can also explore available warehouse opportunities at: inmuebles.es/naves-alquiler/naves
