The warehousing sector is a significant contributor towards the global economy. Here in the UK, the market is forecast to reach $109.5bn by 2030, up from $68.9bn in 2024. That’s according to data by Grand View Horizon.
With significant growth predicted until the end of the decade and beyond, there are exciting developments to come for the warehousing sector.
Metreel supplies material handling, fall protection and powerfeed equipment to various industries, including warehouses.
Based on our research, these are our 7 top trends to look out for in warehousing in 2027.
Warehouse Automation Will Accelerate
Automation has already moved from aspiration to operational reality across UK warehousing. The warehouse robotics market is forecast to reach $21.08 billion globally by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 17.7%. This means that for 2027 especially, the direction of travel is clear.
Importantly, automation does not mean full robotisation. However, it will result in smarter, more integrated processes such as AI warehouse forecasting.
Interestly, existing technology such as overhead cranes will be increasingly part of the integrations. For instance, crane control systems are now being specified with compatibility for warehouse management systems, SCADA platforms and automated conveyor lines in mind.
Warehouse Facilities Are Getting Bigger and Taller
The average new build-to-suit warehouse unit has grown from 297,000 sq ft in 2015 to over 333,000 sq ft. Average eaves heights have also climbed steadily over the same period, reaching a high point of 14.2 metres back in 2022.
However, in 2027, the warehousing sector is expected to grow by a further 5%. As a result, this growth will likely be reflected in the increased demand for warehouse space. Beyond building larger warehouses, intuitive solutions to gain additional warehouse space such as warehouse mezzanines will become a hot topic of conversation.
Larger warehouses also mean changes to the material handling solutions found within them. For instance, greater eaves height means longer lift heights, higher rope requirements and increased importance of accurate duty classification.
Space Optimisation Will Be A Strategic Priority For All Warehouses
As we’ve just touched upon, in 2027 warehouse space is set to grow. However, a related note is that logistics property rents rose 12.4% during 2024 to 2025 alone. Furthermore, availability in prime locations such as the East Midlands Golden Triangle remains constrained.
What all of these means is that for 2027, warehouses will prioritise space optimisation more so than in previous years. While ensuring an efficient use of space has always been important, reducing bottlenecks and improving flow within the warehouse will prove essential during continued periods of rent increases.
One such example is the use of overhead cranes which operate in the vertical plane above the working area, freeing the floor entirely for storage, production or vehicle movement. The space recovered by replacing forklift handling with an overhead crane installation can represent a significant proportion of a facility’s usable area. In high rent locations of the UK, the rental value of that recovered space can exceed the annualised cost of the crane itself.
Ecommerce Growth Will Increase Handling Intensity
Our research suggests that online retail accounted for 27.3% of total UK retail sales in 2025. However, by 2028 this figure is predicted to grow to over 53%.
As a result, in 2027, we estimate that ecommerce businesses will experience greater consumer demand. What this means in principle is that higher throughput volumes equal more lifts per shift, faster cycle times and greater cumulative loading on handling equipment.
For facilities that were originally specified for lighter or less frequent use, this increase in operational intensity will have real implications for any existing material handling equipment, especially if it is not capable of meeting increased demand.
To best prepare, ecommerce warehouses that have seen throughput grow significantly over recent years should consider whether a duty classification review on any material handling equipment is due.
The Need To Demonstrate Supply Chain Resilience Will Drive Changes In Stocking Strategies
In 2026, global warehousing experience continued geopolitical disruption, including trade tariff uncertainty, regional conflicts and increasingly unpredictable extreme weather events. For 2027, these events will push businesses to hold larger buffer stocks and bring more of their supply chain activity closer to home.
Reshoring of manufacturing will accelerate, with occupation of big box warehousing by manufacturers expected to rise by 32% as companies reduce their exposure to overseas supply chain risk.
Facilities holding larger stocks and carrying out more inbound and outbound handling movements have a stronger case for permanent overhead lifting infrastructure than those operating leaner, just-in-time models.
The shift towards higher stock levels and domestic manufacturing will also increase the proportion of operations that require production-grade lifting capability rather than the lighter handling demands of pure storage and distribution.
Sustainability Will Be A Major Procurement Consideration
Sustainability has moved from a corporate talking point to an operational priority across UK warehousing.
In 2027, warehouses will be up against rising energy costs, investor ESG requirements and the government’s net zero commitments. All of which will push businesses to examine the environmental impact of every aspect of their operations, from the buildings they occupy to the equipment they run.
In warehousing, this means a growing focus on energy-efficient lighting and heating systems, rooftop solar installations, low-emission handling equipment and smarter inventory management that reduces unnecessary movement and waste.
For operations that still rely on diesel or LPG counterbalance forklifts, the shift to electric alternatives, including overhead cranes and electric hoists, represents one of the more straightforward routes to a measurable reduction in Scope 1 emissions.
Buildings themselves are also coming under greater scrutiny, with occupiers increasingly favouring Grade A facilities designed to modern energy performance standards over older secondary stock that carries higher running costs and a heavier carbon footprint.
Sustainability in warehousing is no longer simply about compliance in 2027. Instead, it will become a key factor in procurement decisions, lease negotiations and the long-term competitiveness of the businesses operating within these facilities.
Cybersecurity Is an Emerging Consideration for Connected Systems
As crane control systems become integrated with WMS platforms, remote diagnostics tools and SCADA systems, they become part of the operational technology infrastructure that cyber attackers target.
However, in 2027, we expect to see more robust cyber protection come to the forefront.
For buyers investing in long-life crane assets, the question of whether control system firmware is updateable, whether network access is properly segmented and whether the supplier offers ongoing software support will become as relevant as the mechanical specification.
Prepare Your Warehouse For 2027 And Beyond With Material Handling Solutions From Metreel
Regardless of when you happen to be reading this post, the best time to prepare for what’s to come in warehousing in 2027 and beyond is today.
At Metreel, there are lots of ways we can increase safety and productivity in your warehouse, including through our monorail systems and workstation cranes.
If there is a particular warehouse material handling solution you are searching for, please get in touch or call us on 0115 932 7010 to discuss your requirements with our team.