The report makes it clear that to maximize supply chain efficiency, distribution center locations that are within close proximity to U.S. population clusters and multimodal transportation are crucial. The report suggests that firms should first determine the optimal location based on their outbound requirement (buyers, people and retail locations) and then place their facilities as close as possible to transportation infrastructure based on their inbound requirements (cargo port, inland ports and rail).
“Future location decisions will largely be driven based on population growth—the East Coast and West Coast ports with the infrastructure and transportation links to serve the largest and fastest-growing regions in the country will also be home to strong-performing industrial real estate markets,” said Scott Marshall, executive managing director, Industrial Services, Americas, CBRE.
