Low U.S. interest rates, positive economic indicators and an increasing demand for prime, well-located logistics property are some of the elements bringing focus to U.S. industrial assets such as warehouses and distribution centers, according to Tim O'Rourke, executive vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle.

Hibbett Sports Inc. plans to move its distribution center from Birmingham to Alabaster, spending more than $25m on the project at a site near the Shelby County Airport.

Plans for a new distribution center near Philadelphia will allow Dollar General to more effectively replenish its rapidly expanding store base.

Northeastern U.S. states are sometimes depicted as not particularly business friendly. But that hasn't deterred some major companies from locating in the Keystone State recently, not least of which is Volvo Construction Equipment Americas. For one thing, Pennsylvania's location makes it very attractive for companies that must get product to customers in a huge portion of the country within a day. And a pocket in Franklin County, in the south central part of the state, is helping them do just that.

The major expansion of internet retailing is expected to be the biggest driver of activity in the European logistics market - and the need for distribution space - in the coming three years, according to a survey conducted by global real estate advisor CBRE.