Andrew Griffiths - managing director of leading developer Prologis UK - will provide the keynote address at the SHD Logistics Conference on the 15th of October at ZSL London Zoo. We interviewed Andrew ahead of the event, on the property issues effecting our industry. Book now.

SHD Logistics: UK warehouse space is diminishing rapidly. What does this mean for a growing logistics business?

Andrew Griffiths: There is very little Grade A space availability in prime markets and stock is diminishing rapidly.  Research shows that availability in these markets was down to 2.1% by the end of Q2 this year and this must be a record low.  For a growing logistics business, this means that in the short term suitable property will be harder to find and more expensive than it would have been several years ago.  But, I am sure that people already know this from their own experience.

SHD Logistics: Supermarket demand has, temporarily, dried up. Do you expect it to return and if it does, how will its needs have changed?

Andrew Griffiths: Supermarket demand has reduced perhaps, but it has also evolved. We are still working with the major supermarkets and earlier this year we completed a 1m sq ft facility for Sainsbury at our Prologis RFI DIRFT scheme.  All retailers are clearly under very significant cost pressures but we are seeing projects emerge that are based upon a more efficient supply chain.  The benefit of these projects is that they are having a positive impact on the cost base of each of those businesses.

Read the full article in the October issue of SHD Logistics

BOOK YOUR PLACE AT THE SHD LOGISTICS CONFERENCE NOW

Venue: London Zoo, Regent's Park, London

Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm

Price: £295 + VAT

To take advantage of the early bird special, click here and book your place now.

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