TAKEAWAYS Shaping the Future of the Global Supply Chain
Industrial real estate in the United States appears to be settling into a more balanced phase. According to the Colliers Q3 2025 Industrial Market Report , tenant demand surged while new construction cooled substantially, signaling a potential turning point for warehouse and logistics networks. Net absorption hit roughly 60 million square feet in Q3—the strongest quarterly total since early 2023, the report shows ( see chart, below ). At the same time, industrial vacancy ticked up only slightly to 7.4%, while the pipeline for new buildings shrank to 270 million square feet, a level not seen since 2018. These shifts suggest that supply is tightening even as demand remains solid. Here are some other interesting trends on display in the Q3 report: Flight to quality: Tenants are showing preference for modern, efficient facilities— especially near ports, rail hubs, and ecommerce corridors. Tightening cost structures: With demand up and supply constrained, building and lease costs are rising. Carriers, third-party logistics providers, and shippers must factor higher real estate and occupancy expenses into their planning. Strategic site selection matters: As supply growth cools, companies are placing greater emphasis on location, connectivity, and automation readiness. Opportunity window for logistics optimization: Given the supply-demand shift, companies that move quickly to secure prime space and optimize their networks can gain a competitive edge. INDUSTRIAL MARKET FINDS BALANCE
TECH TAKES PRIORITY As the supply chain sector heads into 2026, one thing is resoundingly clear: Technology is now a necessary strategy, not just a supportive tool. As a result, tech spend is trending upward, with visibility solutions topping the list. That’s the main takeaway from a new report by Ontegos Cloud, which surveyed 912 logistics and supply chain professionals across North America, Europe, and Asia. Additional insights about the coming role of technology in 2026 include: Digital-first confirmed: One in three respondents (34%) identify technology as the core driver of their logistics strategy, highlighting an industry-wide shift toward digital-first operations among freight forwarders and 3PLs ( see chart, below ). Predictive visibility dominates: 44% of respondents say forecasting and visibility are their top technology focus area for 2026, surpassing automation, digital twins, and cybersecurity. Spending spree: Nearly 40% of freight forwarders and 3PLs are dedicating more than one quarter of their 2026 budgets to technology. Another 25% plan moderate increases (10% to 25%), while only 23% remain cautious with limited allocations under 10%. Potential security oversight: Only 11% of freight forwarders and 3PLs selected cybersecurity and compliance as a focus area, highlighting a potential vulnerability as data connectivity and automation deepen across global supply chains.
As you plan for 2026, how central is technology (AI, data visibility, automation, cloud) to your logistics strategy?
34%
Core driver of our strategy
29%
Important but early stage
20%
Minimal focus right now
Source: Colliers 65M SF of new supply in 25Q3 ↓ 14M SF YOY 60M SF of net absorption in 25Q3 ↑ 20M SHF YOY vs
17%
On the radar, not priority
Source: Ontegos Cloud
14 Inbound Logistics • December 2025
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