According to an analysis conducted by JLL, the French logistics real estate market experienced a significant decline in placed demand and transactions in 2023, although it remained within the ten-year average. The Dorsale region struggled to reach the threshold of 1.5 million square meters. Despite this, the segment of XXL warehouses performed well. Placed demand decreased by 24% in 2023, reaching 3.53 million square meters in warehouses over 5,000 square meters, compared to 4.64 million square meters in 2022.
However, it is important to note that despite these figures, some aspects remain encouraging. The total volume of placed demand for the year remains similar to the average of the last ten years, reaching 3.51 million square meters. Major retail chains and industrial companies continue to be active players in the French logistics real estate market.
Regarding transactions, 222 were recorded in 2023, representing a decrease of 24% compared to the previous year but remaining 22% higher than the ten-year average. XXL warehouses were particularly successful, accounting for a quarter of the placed volume. The segment of warehouses from 10,000 square meters to 20,000 square meters was also dynamic, concentrating over 31% of the placed volume.
Geographically, several secondary markets have gained interest at the expense of historical markets such as Paris or Lyon. The Dorsale, including Lille, Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, recorded a total placed demand of 1.44 million square meters in 2023, down from 2.39 million square meters the previous year. This region continues to suffer from a shortage of available properties, particularly in the Southeast, in Lyon and Marseille, as well as a scarcity of land for new logistic developments.
However, the fourth Parisian ring experienced significant growth with 552,000 square meters of placed demand, representing 16% of the national demand.