As we step into 2025, the warehousing and logistics industry is evolving faster than ever. During Dexory’s latest webinar, Oana Jinga, CC&PO and Co-founder of Dexory, and Clare Bottle, CEO of the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), shared insights on the warehousing trends shaping the future. From automation and sustainability to consumer expectations and workforce evolution, the discussion covered the critical themes influencing the sector today.

‍

‍

Lessons from visiting 80 warehouses in a year

Clare’s 2024 journey of visiting 80 warehouses across the UK offered a unique perspective on the state of the industry and its trajectory. Reflecting on her experience, she noted, “Rather than just documenting each visit, I wanted to explore what these experiences taught me about the future of warehousing.”

The result was the UKWA white paper, The Warehouse of the Future: Predictions from 2025 to 2050, a deep dive into the key warehousing trends reshaping operations, technology, and customer expectations.

‍

Shifting consumer expectations and the rental economy

One of the major warehousing trends discussed was the shift in consumer behaviour. Clare highlighted how expectations for faster fulfilment and wider product ranges are pushing warehousing operations to become more efficient.

She also noted the rise of the rental economy, with consumers showing a growing interest in renting rather than owning goods. “White goods, televisions, and even items like toasters could be part of this shift. This puts pressure on warehouses to manage returns, refurbishments, and reintroductions into the system,” Clare explained.

Interestingly, consumer preferences for physical products are evolving too. Clare emphasised how younger generations are buying vinyl records not necessarily to play them but as status symbols. “Inventory management must adapt to these unexpected demands,” she said.

‍

Warehouse automation: The opportunity and the challenge

Automation remains one of the most critical warehousing trends, with only 10–15% of warehouses currently automated. “That figure might double within a decade, but the majority will still rely on manual processes,” Clare predicted.

Key barriers to wider adoption include fear of the unknown, budget constraints, and the operational demands of the day-to-day. Oana highlighted how Dexory’s subscription and robots-as-a-service models address these challenges by providing flexibility and faster ROI.

“Especially in today’s uncertain economic climate, businesses want automation solutions that adapt to their evolving needs,” Oana explained.

Explore proven strategies for fast and accurate decision-making in logistics

‍

Collaboration between humans and robots

One of the most exciting warehousing trends discussed was the growing collaboration between humans and robots. Both speakers emphasised that robotics can enhance, not replace, jobs by taking over repetitive tasks.

“Robots free up workers to focus on problem-solving and decision-making—things humans are inherently better at,” Clare said.

Oana added how robotics is opening new opportunities in the workforce. “Automation is making warehouse jobs more accessible for people with disabilities and reducing physical strain for workers through innovations like exoskeletons.”

Read more on Linkline's strategic approach to human-robot collaboration

‍

Sustainability: Balancing speed with responsibility

Sustainability is a key focus for the industry, and Clare highlighted how warehousing trends are addressing environmental concerns. From optimising space usage to installing solar panels, many warehouses are taking steps toward net-zero operations.

“Automation plays a big role in reducing energy consumption by streamlining operations, but there’s still a long way to go,” she said.

Oana added that reducing unnecessary movements in warehouses—enabled by real-time data insights—is another way the sector can lower its environmental footprint.

‍

Data: The lifeblood of modern warehousing

The importance of data emerged as a recurring theme during the webinar. “Data is king when it comes to optimising operations,” Oana said. “Reducing inefficiencies, like excess movement within a site, can lead to significant savings over time.”

Clare echoed this, highlighting how data is critical for new trends like the circular economy. “Whether it’s tracking the provenance of goods or managing donation-based food warehouses, the ability to collect and act on data is becoming indispensable,” she said.

Discover why automated inventory counts are crucial for your warehouse operations

‍

‍

‍

Building the future together

As the webinar drew to a close, both Oana and Clare emphasised the need for collaboration across the industry to address challenges and seize opportunities. “The future of warehousing is about trust, transparency, and technology working hand in hand,” Oana said.

Clare highlighted the role of trade associations like UKWA in connecting stakeholders and supporting innovation. “We’re here to help our members navigate this brave new world of warehousing,” she said.

‍

Conclusion: Warehousing trends for 2025 and beyond

The discussion offered a comprehensive look at the warehousing trends that will shape 2025 and beyond. From automation and sustainability to shifting consumer behaviours and workforce evolution, the industry stands on the brink of transformative change.

Whether it’s embracing robotics, harnessing the power of data, or adapting to new consumer demands, the warehouse of the future is already taking shape, and Dexory is proud to be at the forefront of this exciting journey.

‍

If you found the insights from this webinar valuable, don’t miss Dexory’s brand-new 2025 eBook on 2025 trends in logistics and supply chain. Packed with actionable strategies and forward-looking predictions, this comprehensive guide dives deep into the forces shaping the logistics and warehousing industry.