UK logistics market remains resilient, but capacity is becoming harder to navigate

The UK logistics market is holding up better than many expected, but the picture is becoming more uneven. Recent market data shows that occupier take-up remained steady in YTD2026, with 9.0 million sq ft of space taken in Q1. That was broadly in line with the previous quarter and above the same period last year. On the surface, this suggests a stable market. The detail matters more. Vacancy has risen, reaching 8.3% in Q1, but much of this increase is linked to lower-quality second-hand stock returning to the market. Grade-A vacancy remains tighter, at 4.2%, with some regions reporting rates at or below 1%. This creates a practical problem for shippers. There may be more space available overall, but not always the right space, in the right place, with the right service model or logistics partner attached to it. Rents are still rising, though at a slower pace. That means cost pressure has not disappeared. At the same time, global disruption, higher input costs and regional demand shifts are making logistics planning less predictable. The market needs more than headline data. Shippers need flexible access to multiple providers, better visibility of available options and the ability to adapt as capacity, cost and service conditions change. The UK logistics market is resilient, but resilience does not remove complexity.