European Logistics Outlook 2021

Inhalt

Surging online retail sales

Economic overview

Eurozone industrial production fell during September, latest data shows, and remains 5.8% below the level in February 2020. However, this was due to a fall in Italy, whereas production in Germany, Spain and France all rose. Production, however, may shine through as one of the more resilient sectors given that the latest lockdown measures will not impact the industry to the same extent as retail and leisure. President-elect, Joe Biden's recent US election win may provide an additional boost to European export markets with seemingly more outward-looking trade policy.

Eurozone consumer confidence again dropped in November from -15.5 to -17.6 and well below the long-term average of 9.7 as a result of reinstated lockdowns and gloomier sentiment over the economic outlook, hindering planned retail expenditure. Despite the extension of a number of Europe's furlough programmes and increased eurozone household savings ratios during Q2 2020 to 25% of income, the potential for a consumer bounceback appears limited. The retail sales rebound has been supported to some extent by online activity, as consumer footfall still remains markedly down on pre-Covid-19 levels.