According to the Savills European Real Estate Logistics Census 2026, occupiers are taking a closer look at whether individual buildings meet their operational requirements and future plans. Operational efficiency is therefore becoming an increasingly important consideration for all key market participants. From businesses seeking new space and developers preparing new projects to investors assessing the long-term sustainability of returns. Growing demands on technical readiness are also reflected in the fact that 89% of occupiers expect their power requirements to grow over the next three years.
Ondřej Míček, Head of Industrial Agency at Savills, said: “This approach has always existed. However, the growing need to respond quickly to situations arising from geopolitical, natural and other external factors is driving all stakeholders to streamline their operational processes and proactively develop alternative solutions.”
Occupiers: Total operating costs matter
According to the survey, 41% of respondents from the retail sector identify rent or rising costs as a barrier to taking additional warehouse space. At the same time, 89% of occupiers expect their power requirements to increase over the next three years. More than a quarter (26%) already report insufficient power capacity in their existing buildings.
Power availability is therefore becoming an increasingly important factor when selecting industrial and logistics space. This is not just a question of electricity prices, but also whether a building can provide sufficient capacity for the technologies, equipment and processes required by an occupier's operations.
“Although the price of electricity as a commodity is closely linked to the price of natural gas, I believe that the growing demand for electricity is also driven by the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. In recent years, gas and oil prices have become increasingly influenced by geopolitical developments, making them less predictable. As a result, electricity consumption continues to rise, even though electricity can also be generated from sources other than coal or natural gas,” adds Ondřej Míček.
Developers: Project economics start with site selection
The European survey shows that 77% of developers identify power availability as a barrier to development. Planning and permitting timescales are cited by 73% of respondents, while 62% point to construction costs. These factors affect not only project budgets but also construction schedules and developers' ability to deliver space that meets the specific requirements of future occupiers.
Ondřej Míček adds: “Land prices and the length of permitting procedures have long been among the biggest challenges facing the development market in the Czech Republic. Both factors directly affect rental levels and, consequently, the competitiveness and economic viability of a project. Rent is, after all, one of the key criteria for prospective occupiers. High land acquisition costs and lengthy project preparation periods, during which developers invest capital without generating any income, inevitably reflected in the final rental price.”
Automation: Higher productivity requires the right infrastructure
More than half of occupier respondents plan to increase their investment in AI, while 42% intend to invest more in warehouse automation. The survey also highlights the growing importance of eaves height: 42% of respondents require heights of 12–15 metres, while a further 33% require 15–20 metres. Operational efficiency therefore cannot be assessed solely in terms of energy costs. A building's ability to support the required level of automation, make efficient use of storage space and adapt to future operational needs without major structural alterations is equally important.
“When designing warehouse space, it is important to strike the right balance between the requirements of the initial tenant and the flexibility for future use. An excessively high clear height can significantly limit the pool of potential occupiers once the original tenant vacates the premises,” explains Ondřej Míček, adding:“Warehouses with a clear height of 12 metres are no longer uncommon in the Czech Republic, even on sites where the local zoning plan permits building heights of up to 25 metres. However, even when obtaining planning permission for speculative developments, developers do not automatically aim for the maximum permitted height. The key consideration is not only what the site allows, but also how well the project will accommodate the needs of different tenants over the long term.”
Investors: Operational parameters shape long-term asset value
The survey shows that 81% of investors are targeting prime logistics, up from 73% in the previous year. It also highlights that buildings without a viable improvement strategy may face longer void periods, higher capital expenditure and weaker liquidity. Power availability, building specification and the scope for future improvements are therefore among the factors that can influence a property's future letting prospects and investment appeal.
For older buildings, extensive refurbishment is not necessarily the only solution. It is important to assess which improvements make economic sense and can help maintain a property's competitiveness in the future.
Full research available here: Savills European Real Estate Logistics Census 2026