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Clicks & Consequences - accommodating the rise of e-commerce

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By Walter Boettcher

A rough guide to the rise of e-commerce and its logistical requirements within the context of government investment, sustainability and the ESG agenda.


  • Accommodating the rise of e-commerce is linked to accommodating continuing growth in consumerism a fundamental and entrenched feature of capitalism. E-commerce is taking a growing share of a growing pie

  • Extrapolating present trends suggests that over 100 million square feet of new warehouse space will be required by 2030 to accommodate the existing e-commerce business model

  • The existing e-commerce model would also generate demand for another 38,000 HGVs over the next five years, or 76,000 HGVs over the next 10 years to support its supply chains. Without innovation and effective regulation this will work against decarbonisation and government carbon emission commitments

  • Last mile delivery may be important and receive the most attention, but first mile delivery is an existential problem of an entirely different order requiring large-scale investment in port and multimodal infrastructure that must be considered within the context of UK regional development and ‘levelling up’

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Clicks & Consequences - accommodating the rise of e-commerce

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Walter Boettcher | Colliers | London - West End

Walter Boettcher

Head of Research and Economics

Research and Forecasting

London - West End

+44 20 7344 6581
+447824691586
Email

As Head of Research and Economics at global property advisors Colliers based in London, I lead a team of researchers identifying timely research topics and directing research and forecasting outputs. I have 25+ years of UK and European property industry experience and extensive expertise across a wide range of sectors and related industries. I participate regularly in industry panel discussions, but am focused more on direct client engagement with institutions, property companies, banks, and private investors. A regular media commentator, I have a wide range of national publication and broadcast experience. I joined Colliers International in August 2007 after several years at a private property company where I was responsible for managing a mixed portfolio of London residential, retail and office assets. Previously, I worked in a few London property advisory firms, a geodemographic company as well as a few youthful sojourns in the US offshore oil industry, local government and entertainment business. I am an economics graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received a  PhD from the Faculty of Science at University College London.  I am a member of the London Property Economics Forum and  Society of Property Researchers.

Perhaps best known for my alternative take on property economics and investment, I am a keen proponent of UK regional development and infrastructure investment.

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