How same-day delivery is driving a new wave of industrial property demand

While e-commerce rewrote the retail playbook, same-day delivery is redrawing the industrial property roadmap. The result is a powerful new wave of demand that encompasses urban logistics hubs, last-mile distribution centres and flexible industrial spaces. 3Cube Property Solutions breaks down the structural shift and explains what it means for industrial property owners in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

TakealotNOW, an e-commerce service offering same-day delivery, was launched in parts of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town in late 2025, and the service has now been extended to Durban. This pilot programme, made possible through Takealot’s partnership with Mr D, makes near-instant gratification a reality for South African consumers. As a result, businesses are racing to position stock closer to customers, reconfigure supply chains and secure strategically located warehousing.

Same-day delivery is not just a trend: it’s a structural shift in how goods move through the economy. Speed is now a competitive differentiator, and that speed is underpinned by well-located, technologically advanced industrial properties.

These developments highlight:

New operational pressures
Fresh opportunities
A new set of requirements for industrial properties

New operational pressures and added competition

The fact that South Africa’s e-commerce market is growing exponentially is indisputable. According to Mordor Intelligence, South Africa’s e-commerce market is worth USD 41.86 billion in 2026, and this is set to grow to 63.06 billion by 2031. Retailers are facing unprecedented pressures and it is only by relying on strategic industrial properties that they can thrive.

Pressure on retailers is heating up due to strong smartphone uptake, the popularity of major global fast fashion platforms like Shein, the growth of “buy now, pay later” options and the steady arrival of new international retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Temu.

In order to stay competitive, retailers are increasingly reliant on industrial property to position inventory closer to customers, accelerate fulfilment times and support seamless omnichannel operations.

Fresh opportunities for industrial property owners

As e-commerce continues to expand, industrial properties located near residential nodes and key transport corridors are commanding growing premiums. Smaller warehouses in established urban areas can be repositioned as last-mile fulfilment hubs, enabling owners to secure stronger rentals and long-term tenant demand.

Location strategy has become increasingly sophisticated, with e-commerce and last-mile operations requiring proximity to dense population centres to meet same-day delivery expectations. This shift has pushed warehouse demand into areas once considered too expensive for industrial use, prompting the redevelopment and conversion of sites in inner suburbs and even central business districts for logistics purposes.

Emerging global property requirements in light of evolving e-commerce

The changing face of industrial property requirements is not unique to South Africa, and the US-based Link Logistics has accurately summed up three of the trends reshaping industrial real estate. 

1.      Increased power capacity

Automated systems and robotics require substantially enhanced electrical infrastructure. As e-commerce continues to evolve, electrical requirements are likely to become even more stringent.

2.      Greater focus on warehouse sustainability and cost-efficiency

Sophisticated photovoltaic systems don’t only lower your costs – they can make a warehouse at least partially resilient to Eskom’s loadshedding when it occurs. Beyond solar, developers and owners are increasingly incorporating water harvesting systems, improved insulation and green building initiatives.

3.      High-speed connectivity

Real-time data collection through Internet of Things sensors has become an integral part of logistics, and having the correct digital infrastructure is vital. Integrated warehouse management systems must be able to track inventory in real time and RFID scanning capabilities are now essential.

As retailers compress delivery windows and refine their supply chains, demand for resilient, connected and strategically positioned warehouse space will continue to intensify. For industrial property owners in Gauteng and the Western Cape, this presents an unprecedented opportunity. To find out how you can capitalise on the evolution of e-commerce, get in touch with 3Cube Property Solutions today.