SYDNEY, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- An e-retailing
research report commissioned by Goodman Group (Goodman) has
highlighted that online shopping now accounts for almost a fifth of
all purchases in developed markets and is growing between 15% and
20% per annum. The growth rate in developing economies is far
higher, with China for example
currently experiencing around 75% growth a year.
The comprehensive research report on the global online shopping
market was conducted by Transport Intelligence, one of the leading
providers of research on the global logistics industry, and focused
on the key areas of:
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Take-up rates and popularity of
online shopping around the world;
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The impact of the growth in
e-retailing on logistics operations in developed and developing
markets;
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The warehousing requirements and
operations of some of the main e-retailing players; and
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Factors that will play a role in
the growth of the industry.
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Highlights from the study are today being published in a White
Paper entitled 'Logistics of Online Shopping - Where the Real
Opportunities Lie'. Containing the latest stats and insights gained
from canvassing the opinions of e-retailers, logistics companies
and developers, the report provides the most comprehensive overview
of the sector of its kind. The White Paper is available on
Goodman's website, click here to view.
The report showed that at a time when retail sales in many
markets have been sluggish, internet retailing has grown rapidly
and this shift in consumer attitude has brought enormous benefits
to the global logistics market. With growth in excess of 10% per
annum in developed economies and more than 30% per annum in many
less developed areas, e-retailing is at present in the rapid growth
phase, with little sign of leveling off, the report said.
In line with the rapid growth in e-retailing around the world,
it has been estimated that the global e-commerce market could be
valued as much as US$1 trillion in
2013 and up to US$1.4 trillion by
2015.
In developed markets, the US is currently the largest
e-retailing market in the world, with 170 million users spending on
average US$1,000 each per annum and
according to Forrester Research is estimated to grow to
approximately US$279 billion by 2015.
Similarly, Europe which is growing
at around 16% a year is estimated to be valued at over US$184 billion by 2015.
This compares with emerging markets such as China, which currently has more than 150
million users, each spending on average US$200 to US$250 a year. The increasing number of
middle class Chinese, with rising incomes and greater demand for
western goods is seen as the main driver for China becoming a major e-commerce market,
which Boston Consulting Group has estimated to be worth around
US$305 billion by 2015.
Goodman's Group CEO, Mr Greg
Goodman said, "The research has enabled us to better
understand the key drivers in the e-retailing market globally and
the trends that are shaping the industry, including logistics
operators. What is very apparent is that there is no 'one size fits
all' approach to optimising distribution efficiency, with
e-retailers in different markets adopting very different fulfilment
and distribution strategies."
To highlight this point, in China for example, the lack of infrastructure
and limited provision of logistics are key factors as they have not
kept pace with the growth in e-retailing, and service gaps are
widespread, the report said. Logistics costs in China are in excess of 20% of GDP, more than
double that in Europe, and outside
of the major cities logistics offerings are almost non-existent.
This has led to e-retailers developing a far wider network of
facilities, aiming to get 'closer to the customer'.
By contrast, in developed regions where logistics infrastructure
is relatively sophisticated, geographic factors determine the
distribution strategies that e-retailers are adopting, ranging from
overnight delivery from a single distribution point, to utilising
multiple distribution points and duplicating main inventory lines.
This highly fragmented situation has led to e-retailers developing
their own fulfilment centres rather than relying on logistics
operators, and dedicated purpose built facilities are being
increasingly demanded.
"The report's findings confirm that there is strong demand for
high quality, built-to-suit warehousing solutions amid the rapid
growth in this sector. This presents a range of opportunities for
property groups like Goodman, who understand local market dynamics
and have the specialist expertise and experience to respond to the
specific property needs of individual e-retailers and third party
logistics providers," Mr Goodman added.
As one of the largest global industrial property groups, Goodman
has world-class expertise in developing tailored logistics and
warehousing solutions, and is a leader in meeting the unique
requirements of its e-retailing and logistics customers. To
illustrate this, Goodman has delivered more than 581,000 sqm of new
warehouse space across nine facilities for Amazon in Europe alone, with a further 225,000 sqm
currently being developed across two projects in Germany.
Goodman also recently announced the development of a new 42,410
sqm built-to-suit facility in Tianjin,
China for Moonbasa, a major online retailer of ladies
fashion and accessories.
"The continued rapid growth in e-retailing is a real game
changer for our business. We have undertaken a number of
developments for the e-retailing sector over the last two to three
years which is reflected across our portfolio, making it one of our
largest customer groups," Mr Goodman concluded.
About Goodman
Goodman Group is an integrated property group with operations
throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe
and the United Kingdom. Goodman
Group, comprised of the stapled entities Goodman International
Limited and Goodman Industrial Trust, is the largest industrial
property group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and one
of the largest listed specialist fund managers of industrial
property and business space globally.
Goodman's global property expertise, integrated
own+develop+manage customer service offering and significant fund
management platform ensures it creates innovative property
solutions that meet the individual requirements of its customers,
while seeking to deliver long-term returns for investors.
For further information, please contact Goodman:
Mathew Werner
Group Corporate Communications Manager
Tel +61-2-9230-7159