Take-up by third-party logistics service providers (3PLs) has increased globally this year. In the U.S. alone, the segment saw a 12% increase in the second quarter as retailers and manufacturers increasingly turn to 3PLs to better manage supply chain risks, Savills reports.
According to an analysis by Savills as part of its global thought leadership program Impacts, 3PL service providers accounted for 42% of total warehouse space demand in the U.S. in Q2 2025. The Asia-Pacific region is showing a pattern of continuous, long-term growth, with 3PL currently accounting for 46% of total take-up. Europe is even lower at around 33% of warehouse space revenue in Q2, but the use of 3PLs has gradually increased on a regional average over the past two years.
According to Savills, the proportion of manufacturers and companies outsourcing their logistics to 3PL service providers often fluctuates globally depending on short-term market conditions. For example, in 2023 and 2024, Europe and the US saw a trend where reliance on 3PLs decreased as the market adapted to post-pandemic conditions and declining demand in e-commerce.
Sebastian Lindner, Head of Industrial Agency Germany, comments: “In the meantime, however, the attractiveness of 3PL partners has increased again. Outsourcing offers flexibility and allows users to reposition inventory, diversify their supply chains, and scale operations as needed. This is a decisive advantage in view of ongoing macroeconomic and logistical uncertainties. In addition, 3PLs enable cost savings, more efficient workforce management, as well as access to advanced technology without the need for large upfront investments.”
Sarah Brooks, Associate Director at Savills World Research, comments: “Outsourcing to 3PL service providers is not without risk. It can lead to integration challenges, limit control over customer experiences, and cause the potential for service disruptions. However, in today’s world, where supply chains can be impacted in the short term by trade barriers, climate events, or geopolitical developments, many retailers and manufacturers are realizing that the benefits outweigh the potential downsides. It can therefore be assumed that 3PL take-up will continue to grow steadily worldwide. Especially since many providers are currently investing more in advanced platforms. This includes AI-supported solutions that better link customers’ IT systems with the logistics processes of 3PLs.”
