The sustained growth of goods distribution and the pressure on last-mile delivery are transforming the logistics landscape in Spain. Companies face more volatile demand than ever, marked by extreme peaks during campaigns such as Black Friday or Christmas and much longer periods of low activity. At the same time, the availability of logistics space in major metropolitan areas continues to fall, while the costs associated with leasing it increase year after year.
The result is a balance that is increasingly difficult to achieve: how can operational efficiency be maintained without oversizing resources that will remain underutilized most of the year?
The 3 keys to logistics flexibility
The report “IV Study of E-commerce Logistics. Challenges and Solutions in E-commerce Logistics” from the Spanish Logistics Center (CEL) provides data on a scenario many companies are already experiencing in their operations.
1. Seasonal peaks that don’t always generate profitability
During campaigns like Christmas or Black Friday, 68.8% of surveyed companies increase their activity by more than 20%, and for 21.9% the increase exceeds 40%. However, this additional effort does not always translate into profitability: only 15.6% manage to increase their margins, while 34.4% reduce them, and 50% barely maintain them.
2. Space shortages in the most strategic areas
Logistics space in Spain has grown by 33% in the past three years, reaching 33.5 million m². However, capacity in locations close to end consumers remains very limited, especially in Barcelona (5.4%) and Valencia (1.4%). The highest logistics land price is recorded in Barcelona (€8.5/m²), 35% higher than in Valencia and 23% above Madrid. This limits options for expanding capacity in strategic points and drives up operating costs, forcing companies to seek more flexible, demand-driven solutions.
3. Last-mile delivery concentrates most of the cost
Delivery expenses for the surveyed companies account for more than 70% of the logistics cost of a consumer good, and in the last mile, transport represents around 87% of that expense. In 2024, the average transport cost of a parcel reached €5.83, 18% higher than the previous year. Adding the impact of associated operations, the total average shipping cost rises to €7.1. This cost escalation in the final leg of the chain forces the search for more efficient models that can absorb the increase without compromising profitability or service capacity.
Faced with these challenges, more and more companies are turning to flexible warehousing and distribution models. Solutions that can adapt in real time to peaks and troughs in demand, optimize space use, and reduce fixed costs—all without losing agility or responsiveness in service.
TRW: Transport-Linked Warehousing to gain flexibility
The TRW (Transport Related Warehousing) model offers a different view of warehousing: not as a fixed, independent space, but as an integrated node within the transport network. These multi-client warehouses, located in strategic areas around metropolitan hubs, can be activated or deactivated depending on actual demand. In this way, companies dynamically adjust their capacity, avoiding oversized resources during low-activity periods while ensuring the agility needed to absorb seasonal peaks or commercial campaigns without sacrificing efficiency.
Direct connection to the Rhenus transport network turns TRWs into complete logistics platforms. Tasks such as packaging, labeling, order preparation, kitting, relabeling, assembly, repair, or returns management are centralized in one place. This integration reduces handling, improves traceability, and shortens the time between stock arrival and final delivery.
Benefits of TRW with Rhenus
- Network of warehouses in strategic locations
By being located near major urban centers, TRWs allow fast and consistent coverage of several key markets. Operating under the same management model and service standards, companies can coordinate campaigns or simultaneous distributions in different regions without having to manage multiple providers or infrastructures.
- Flexible activation and deactivation of space as needed
Capacity is adjusted in real time. This means a company can expand its operations during high-demand periods, such as Black Friday, Christmas, or sector-specific campaigns, and reduce them afterwards, avoiding paying for inactive square meters. This elasticity allows for advance planning and orderly volume changes without compromising service quality.
- Integrated value-added services
In addition to storage, each TRW offers complementary operations that enhance efficiency and reduce lead times: product assembly, kitting, relabeling, channel-specific packaging, product repair, and returns management. Centralizing these processes eliminates unnecessary transfers, reduces costs, and speeds up delivery to the final customer.
- Direct connectivity with the Rhenus transport fleet
Integration with the transport network ensures a continuous flow from the warehouse to the delivery point, without intermediate processes that slow down operations. This not only improves traceability but also increases reliability in delivery times and reduces the risk of last-mile incidents, especially in highly complex urban environments.
Logistics challenges demand solutions that combine agility, cost control, and adaptability. If you’d like to learn how to apply this model to your operations and optimize your resources without losing responsiveness, get in touch with our team and we’ll help design the solution that best fits your needs.