Record number of mega facilities among top 100 industrial deals of 2020

The U.S. industrial market cemented itself as the most in-demand commercial property sector in 2020, fueled by a large increase in ecommerce sales due to COVID-19 restrictions, reported CBRE. Demand for industrial buildings of all sizes surpassed 2019 totals but were strongest in mega-distribution facilities of 1 million square feet or more. The top 100 leasing transactions in 2020 totaled 103.8 million square feet, 17 percent above 2019’s total.

Ecommerce companies that exclusively ship directly to consumers led with 35 transactions totaling 37.3 million square feet — nearly double the 18 signed in 2019. General retailers and wholesalers that distribute both to brick-and-mortar stores and directly to consumers accounted for 32 of the top 100 transactions totaling 35 million sq. ft., six less than in 2019. On a square footage basis, however, total transactions for this occupier type increased by 3.5 percent.