Warehousing and Logistics Sector in India

The warehousing, industrial, and logistics (WIL) sectors are projected to be crucial for attaining India's vision of being a US$ 5 trillion economy by FY25. The warehouse and logistics industry has benefited the most from the COVID-19 epidemic, increasing its share from 2% in 2020 to 20% in 2021. Because of the growing shift from discretionary to essential internet buying during the COVID-19 epidemic, the e-commerce industry became more appealing and attractive.

The expansion of this industry is likely to be aided by a robust economy, government efforts to improve infrastructure, and a favourable business environment. Increasing consumerism and a huge consumer base are fostering the growth of retail and e-commerce in India. The Indian retail sector's market size is predicted to increase at a CAGR of 9% between 2019 and 2030, totalling more than US$ 1.8 trillion. Large international funds and corporations have invested in warehousing developers and operators to grow their reach and geographical footprint, which are the sector's key differentiators. The Government of India has taken many initiatives to strengthen the sector's infrastructure, including the establishment of dedicated freight corridors and the extension of road and rail networks, to improve connectivity and decrease travel times. Another critical governmental intervention has been the sector's digital transformation, projects such as Digital India, Bharat Net, and the National Logistics Portal would aid in the industry's digitization. Furthermore, the government has announced the establishment of logistics parks and warehouses across the country to provide appropriate storage facilities for enterprises. The warehouse sector has grown rapidly in recent years, fuelled by the expansion of e-commerce, solid infrastructure, the adoption of GST, and the advent of organized retail. The recently implemented National Logistics Policy intends to reduce India's logistics costs from the double digits of GDP to the single digits by 2030.

Overview of the Logistics Industry
The Indian logistics industry is growing, due to a flourishing e-commerce market and technological advancement. The logistics sector in India is predicted to account for 14.4% of the GDP. The industry has progressed from a transportation and storage-focused activity to a specialised function that now encompasses end-to-end product planning and management, value-added services for last-mile delivery, predictive planning, and analytics, among other things. One of the key drivers of this expansion is projected to be the rise of India's logistics industry, which employs 22 million people and serves as the backbone for various businesses. The logistics sector in India was valued at US$ 250 billion in 2021, with the market predicted to increase to an astounding US$ 380 billion by 2025, at a healthy 10%-12% year-on-year growth rate. Moreover, the government is planning to reduce the logistics and supply chain cost in India from 13-14% to 10% of the GDP as per industry standards.

The industry is crucial for the efficient movement of products and services across the nation and in the global markets. The logistics business is highly fragmented and has over 1,000 active participants, including major local players, worldwide industry leaders, the express division of the government postal service, and rising start-ups that focus on e-commerce delivery. The industry includes transportation, warehousing, and value-added services like packaging, labelling, and inventory management. With the advent of technology-driven solutions such as transportation management systems (TMS) and warehouse management systems, India's logistics industry has witnessed tremendous development in recent years (WMS). These solutions have assisted logistics firms in increasing operational efficiency, lowering costs, and improving customer service.
As depicted in the below pie chart (left), representing the segment-wise breakup of the logistics sector in FY21. Roads have the largest percentage share of 73% followed by rail (18%), water (5%) and air (5%).

The below pie chart (right) represents the fragmented structure of the Indian logistics industry.

Source: KPMG Report

Overview of the Warehousing Industry
A warehouse is an essential component of corporate infrastructure and one of the primary enablers in the global supply chain. the Indian warehousing market is predicted to reach US$ 34.99 billion (Rs. 2,872.10 billion), expanding at a CAGR of 15.64% from 2022 to 2027. Modern warehouse facilities and technology-driven solutions have changed the warehousing sector in India in recent years. With increased demand and supply throughout the years, the Indian warehousing industry is gaining traction. The key players are third-party logistics (third-party logistics) and e-commerce enterprises, which are growing into tier 2 and 3 cities and eventually increasing their proportion of secondary marketplaces. Businesses are transitioning to a hub-and-spoke model while also implementing technology to simplify operations, with an eye on the larger picture of ease, efficiency, and sustainability.

Grade A warehouses are modernized buildings created specifically to meet the needs of warehouse logistics. They feature the most up-to-date technology, superior building materials, a prime location, and a convenient traffic interchange. Grade B objects are outdated buildings that must be rebuilt to satisfy modern warehouse logistics standards.

As depicted in the below chart, India saw a 21% year-over-year increase in the total stock of Grade A and B warehouse space in the top eight cities in 2021. The total warehousing capacity is expected to be 287 million square feet by the end of 2021, up from 238 million square feet the previous year. Grade A stock in India was 134 million square feet, representing a 5-year CAGR of 29.9%. Among the eight major cities, the three largest cities in the country, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, contribute more than half of the warehousing stock.

As demonstrated in the below pie chart, 3PL/Logistics has remained the top segment in terms of warehouse space demand for the last five years. Various e-commerce areas, including retail, groceries, pharmacy, and food delivery, are likely to grow substantially as consumers shifted their purchasing habits from offline to online. COVID-19 has increased eCommerce adoption, increasing demand for online delivery of both essential and non-essential commodities. While the share of manufacturing demand from the Auto & Ancillaries and Engineering sectors has declined during the epidemic, demand from other consumption-based sectors such as Retail and FMCG has increased.

​​​​​​Source: Assocham

Key Industry Drivers

• Government initiatives
  The government's warehousing policy focuses on creating exclusive warehousing zones through public-private partnerships in order to reduce transportation and logistics costs and accelerate growth. The government will invest US$ 91.38 billion (Rs. 7.5 lakh crore) in infrastructure, logistics development, and multi-modal connectivity in FY23. Reforms such as GST and e-way bills are fostering industrial growth, consolidation, and efficiency. The introduction of free trade logistics parks and warehousing zones.
• Global manufacturing shift
  Demand for warehouse alternatives and logistics services has increased as a result of international firms relocating their manufacturing focus to India. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is increasing domestic production and, as a result, increasing demand for industrial space and warehousing.
• New-age startups
  The emergence of new-age tech logistics startups that are aggressively infiltrating this market and producing competing products. Several new businesses are entering the B2B market, driven by manufacturing. New players are introducing more technology and digital systems to boost productivity, resulting in overall industry growth.
• Technology advancement
  Solutions based on modern technology are opening up chances for solution expansion throughout the entire value chain. Warehouses are being designed and integrated with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI).
• Flourishing e-commerce
  An increase in e-commerce leads to expanded operations to meet increased demand. Consumer behaviour is changing, and they are demanding convenience through last-mile connectivity, ease of returns, and other value-added services. The expansion of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands demanding end-to-end logistics services. Omni-channel retailing increases the need for several warehouses to serve end users.

Investment Trends
Foreign corporations are actively investing in India's logistics infrastructure to capitalize on the country's strategic location, trained labour, and improved business environment. The development of industrial and logistics parks, as well as data centres, is a new bright spot on the Indian real estate heatmap. In 2022, these two segments received US$ 1.8 billion in Private Equity (PE)/ Venture Capitalist (VC) investments, representing a 29% increase year on year. The industry garnered investments worth US$ 1 billion (Rs. 8,257 crore) at the beginning of 2022. The logistics and industrial industries' quarterly average investment was around 1.3 times more in 2021 than it was in 2021 when it was US$ 335.69 million (Rs. 2,755) crore. Over the last four years (2019-2022), the warehouse and logistics sector has received a total institutional investment of US$ 5.4 billion, with 2022 accounting for a major 35% portion.

Warehouse investment accounted for the second greatest percentage of institutional real estate investment in both 2021 and 2022, accounting for 27% and 31%, respectively, outperforming other asset classes such as residential and retail. During the four-year period 2019-2022, the western area of the country - led by Mumbai, Pune, and Becharji, (a tiny town in Gujarat) - witnessed the second-greatest institutional investment in warehousing, accounting for 35% of total investment in the industry, demonstrating the increased confidence that investors have in the nation's Tier II cities.


Source: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)

The year 2022, in particular, had a spectacular 44% YoY increase, owing mostly to a US$ 1 billion contract between Lodha Group, CDPO, and Bain Capital.

Source: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)

​​​Road Ahead
The warehousing and logistics industry in India is a dynamic and rapidly growing sector that is expected to play an increasingly important role in the country's economy. Despite some challenges, the sector is well-positioned for long-term growth and presents exciting opportunities for investors and businesses. With the government's focus on improving infrastructure and the rise of e-commerce, the sector is expected to be a key driver of economic growth in the country. Moreover, with the increasing adoption of technology and the government's push for a digital economy, there is also significant potential for logistics players to leverage data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to improve operational efficiency and enhance customer experience. There are also opportunities for foreign investment as international companies look to tap into India's growing logistics market. The government has made it easier for foreign companies to invest in the sector by allowing 100% foreign direct investment in logistics parks and warehouses.

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