Five trends radically reshaping logistics by 2025

The logistics sector faces unprecedented challenges in 2025: rising geopolitical tensions, stricter sustainability regulations and changing demands for e-commerce. From circular models to reckoning with the "faster is better" mentality, logistics will become more than ever a strategic lever for sustainability, resilience and innovation. In light of International Logistics Day (June 28), Wim Vermeir, warehouse automation expert at Exotec, shares five trends that will shape the future of logistics.

Faster is no longer better

The drive for speed, driven by e-commerce giants like Amazon, seems to be reaching its limits. Consumers are increasingly conscious and more often prefer sustainability to lightning-fast deliveries. Sustainable courier services such as Homerr, which bundle packages locally, take extra delivery time in exchange for lower emissions of up to 79% less CO2 per package. With 1,400 delivery points in the Netherlands and 700 in Belgium, it is clear that there is often no need for 24-hour delivery. Retailers are also reviewing their logistics choices. Decathlon, for example, reduced its air freight volume in one year from 0.4% to just 0.03%, in part by redeploying to rail transport.

Vertical growth as answer to lack of space

With limited space in urban areas and an ever-growing product range, vertical storage is becoming increasingly important. Automation plays a crucial role in this. For example, Cdiscount near Paris increased its warehouse capacity fivefold using robots and a nine-meter-high storage structure. In Belgium, Colruyt recently announced an optimization of the Collect&Go distribution center in Londerzeel, where expansion of storage capacity and deployment of warehouse robots are central. 'High-rise logistics' is also gaining ground in the Netherlands, including at Schiphol Trade Park (a logistics business park adjacent to the airport) and in logistics hotspots in West Brabant.

Flexibility becomes the new standard

While speed is not always the top priority, flexibility remains crucial. Logistics must be able to deal with fluctuating demand, seasonal peaks, geopolitical disruptions and rapidly changing consumer preferences. Microhubs respond to short-term last-mile demand, while fulfillment centers combine flex workers with semi-automation during peak months. Flexible setup is no longer a luxury, but a basic requirement for modern supply chains.

People at the center of the warehouse

All that heavy and repetitive work in logistics leads to hundreds of vacancies. At the same time, digitalization and automation are shifting the role of warehouse workers: there is growing demand for technically skilled personnel, such as robot operators and maintenance technicians. Consequently, to retain employees, companies are investing more often in ergonomic tools, better working conditions and training. Technology here does not serve to replace people, but to make work safer, more interesting and sustainable.

Return logistics as an engine for circularity

The circular economy requires an overhaul of logistics processes. In France, ReGNR manages a 32,000-square-meter circular hub for returns, repairs and rentals for Decathlon. Similar models are also emerging in the Benelux. Bol.com built a return center in Waalwijk for refurbishing and reuse. Swappie, specialist in refurbishing, recently opened its first delivery point for old iPhones in Andenne near Namur, capitalizing on the 39 % preference of Belgian consumers for physical drop-off. These initiatives are in line with the broader ESG reporting requirements coming to Benelux companies through European CSRD regulations.