Many of the long-term structural changes that had been shaping real estate markets for several years became sudden and dominant drivers of demand as the pandemic took hold in 2020. The result is an entirely new status quo for real estate investors. Core real estate investing has evolved alongside these shifts. In this short bulletin we reflect on how these structural drivers are changing the core investing landscape.

Many of the long-term structural changes that had been shaping real estate markets for several years became sudden and dominant drivers of demand as the pandemic took hold in 2020.

The result is an entirely new status quo for real estate investors, one in which uncertainty is a seemingly permanent fixture of the investment landscape. Many pre-pandemic norms relating to how we live and work are likely gone forever, while some may return as COVID-19 becomes less of an economic and public health concern.

Core real estate investing has evolved alongside these shifts. Prior to the pandemic, our team identified a number of structural themes that will drive future investment performance. These “DIGITAL” themes (demographics, infrastructure, globalization, and innovation & technology) remain highly relevant and instructive, especially considering many were greatly accelerated by COVID-19.

The manifestation of these themes creates new opportunities for real estate investors in 2022 and beyond.

DIGITAL themes accelerated by COVID-19

  • The widespread adoption of technology in our home and work lives
  • Changing consumer trends such as the continued saturation of online retail
  • Supply chain disruptions and the move toward localization
  • Continued strong performance of the logistics sector

Today’s DIGITAL drivers of demand

Secular shifts are creating both headwinds and tailwinds for different industries. Real estate has seen a significant rise in niche, or non-traditional, sectors as a result of tailwinds from e-commerce and changes to demographic and migration patterns. While industrial and residential are poised for growth given strong DIGITAL demand drivers, retail and office properties are likely to face a more uneven environment going forward given the structural shifts underway.

This shift is creating new opportunities in sectors that are experiencing an increase in market share as they grow in parallel with trends. Examples include data centres, life science, and single-family rentals—all non-traditional property types that benefit from lifestyle and demographic shifts and exhibited a high degree of growth and resilience during the pandemic and are well-positioned over the longer term.

But opportunities should not be viewed solely as traditional versus non-traditional. More broadly, the thematic drivers shaping the core real estate landscape include the following:

Technology developments. The pandemic immediately shifted our existing patterns of work and home life. For those employed in the professional and business service industries, video conferencing and other technologies led to the majority of office workers being able to do their jobs from home. What was surprising was how effective and seamless this transition was for most businesses, a realisation that spurred many businesses to make remote working a more permanent fixture.

Changing consumer trends. The retail investment landscape echoes many of the structural themes we are seeing, including convenience, necessity, and value. This had led to a preference for online shopping and value-oriented brick-and-mortar retailers. Demographics are also altering the retail environment, as baby boomers are becoming net spenders rather than net savers, and many millennials are buying their first homes, which will lead to increased aggregate spending.

Supply chain issues. Global supply chain disruptions have touched many sectors of the economy, but demand for industrial spiked during the pandemic as shopping moved online and more space was needed to facilitate the moving of these goods. The expansion of the industrial sector will likely continue as companies look to mitigate the risk of disruption through establishing domestic supply chains and distribution nodes closer to major population hubs, a process referred to as onshoring.

Strong logistics performance. We anticipate the continued robust performance of the logistics sector and are favouring key global gateway markets as well as select port cities such as Rotterdam and Hamburg. There is strong demand for warehouse logistics, particularly from e-commerce and third-party logistics companies. Amazon has dominated leasing in this space since 2019 and could be a marginal risk for demand and valuations as its expansion plateaus. In addition to XXL logistics, we also see a fast-growing last mile sector, especially around major population hubs.

Case study: Italian logistics

To help bring these structural themes to life, consider a real-world example of how the DIGITAL framework can help understand where opportunity may be present due to pandemic-related shifts as well as longer-term secular tailwinds. A good example is the opportunity we see in Italian logistics.

The average age of the population in Italy is 47, one of the highest in Europe. This means that most Italians did not grow up with the internet, personal computers, and smartphones. It is no surprise then that the percent of online retail sales in Italy is significantly below the major economies within the European Union, as shown in Exhibit 1. Nevertheless, as the sub-40-year-old age brackets have intricate knowledge of the internet, as well as the knowledge and confidence to shop online, Italy is poised for incredible growth potential given the country is working from a very low base in terms of online retail sales compared to other countries.

Exhibit 1: Online retail sales as a % of total retails sales across Europe

Bar graph showing online retail sales as a % total of retail sales across Europe in 2019, 2020, and 2021 (forecasted) as of July 2020

Centre of Retail Research, July 2020. (F) forecast results

Currently, e-commerce sales in Italy are growing at a faster rate than any other country in Europe. We believe this is helping to position the Italian logistics market for substantial growth compared to its European counterparts.

Exhibit 2: Growth in e-commerce as a % of retail sales
Index 2011 = 100

Line graph showing growth in e-commerce as a percentage of retail sales in the EU, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and the UK, as of November 2021

Eurostat, November 2021

Italy is also Europe’s fourth largest country by population. The ports of Genoa and Gioia Tauro are growing in importance and now have a strong position as two of Europe’s Top 20 logistics ports. Despite demographics and infrastructure dynamics pointing to a logistics hotspot, Italy has some of the lowest levels of stock within the European logistic markets. Additionally, prime yields are, in general, 50 basis points higher than other core European markets and investment volumes have been subdued.

Also, supply chain issues are impacting European regions and industries differently. Germany, an industrial manufacturing powerhouse, has been harder hit by supply chain disruptions, for example. As a result, on a relative basis, other countries are performing better, including having healthier recent manufacturing production. Labor costs in the southern European countries are more attractive than in the north and due to massive infrastructural projects, the southern countries are more accessible than in the past, making the region an interesting alternative for production of goods.

Going forward: New challenges and opportunities

Structural shifts, such as the preference for e-commerce, have been dramatically catalyzed by the pandemic. At the same time, other shifts, such as the movement from gateway markets to the suburbs, may fade or reverse over time. However, the pre-pandemic “normal” is not returning, and investors will continue to face unprecedented challenges in trying to determine the direction of specific real estate markets. The continued evolution of the growth of Europe’s main distribution corridors is also a result of the enlargement of the EU and infrastructure projects like new highways and train connections. This dynamic will continue to impact the locations of logistics over the next decade and create new opportunities for investors that are able to adjust to these changes.

This dynamic is creating new opportunities that can be uncovered through a selective core approach strengthened by regional expertise and resources. Regardless of the performance of individual regions or sectors, having resources on the ground to understand and access these markets opportunistically will remain key for any core investment approach.

Disclosures

Risk Warnings
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Potential investors should be aware of the risks inherent to owning and investing in real estate, including: value fluctuations, capital market pricing volatility, liquidity risks, leverage, credit risk, occupancy risk and legal risk. All these risks can lead to a decline in the value of the real estate, a decline in the income produced by the real estate and declines in the value or total loss in value of securities derived from investments in real estate.

Important Information This material covers general information only and does not take account of any investor’s investment objectives or financial situation and should not be construed as specific investment advice, a recommendation, or be relied on in any way as a guarantee, promise, forecast or prediction of future events regarding an investment or the markets in general. The opinions and predictions expressed are subject to change without prior notice. The information presented has been derived from sources believed to be accurate; however, we do not independently verify or guarantee its accuracy or validity. Any reference to a specific investment or security does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold such investment or security, nor an indication that the investment manager or its affiliates has recommended a specific security for any client account. Subject to any contrary provisions of applicable law, the investment manager and its affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, agents, disclaim any express or implied warranty of reliability or accuracy and any responsibility arising in any way (including by reason of negligence) for errors or omissions in the information or data provided. All figures shown in this document are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

This material may contain ‘forward looking’ information that is not purely historical in nature. Such information may include, among other things, projections and forecasts. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader.

This material is not intended for distribution to, or use by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

This material is intended for use in: 

  • The United States by Principal Global Investors, LLC, which is regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

  • Europe by Principal Global Investors (EU) Limited, Sobo Works, Windmill Lane, Dublin D02 K156, Ireland. Principal Global Investors (EU) Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. In Europe, this document is directed exclusively at Professional Clients and Eligible Counterparties and should not be relied upon by Retail Clients (all as defined by the MiFID). The contents of the document have been approved by the relevant entity. Clients that do not directly contract with Principal Global Investors (Europe) Limited (“PGIE”) or Principal Global Investors (EU) Limited (“PGI EU”) will not benefit from the protections offered by the rules and regulations of the Financial Conduct Authority or the Central Bank of Ireland, including those enacted under MiFID II. Further, where clients do contract with PGIE or PGI EU, PGIE or PGI EU may delegate management authority to affiliates that are not authorized and regulated within Europe and in any such case, the client may not benefit from all protections offered by the rules and regulations of the Financial Conduct Authority, or the Central Bank of Ireland. 

  • United Kingdom by Principal Global Investors (Europe) Limited, Level 1, 1 Wood Street, London, EC2V7 JB, registered in England, No. 03819986, which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"). 

  • United Arab Emirates by Principal Global Investors LLC, a branch registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre and authorized by the Dubai Financial Services Authority as a representative office and is delivered on an individual basis to the recipient and should not be passed on or otherwise distributed by the recipient to any other person or organization. 

  • Singapore by Principal Global Investors (Singapore) Limited (ACRA Reg. No. 199603735H), which is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is directed exclusively at institutional investors as defined by the Securities and Futures Act 2001. This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. 

  • Australia by Principal Global Investors (Australia) Limited (ABN 45 102 488 068, AFS License No. 225385), which is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. This document is intended for sophisticated institutional investors only. 

  • This document is marketing material and is issued in Switzerland by Principal Global Investors (Switzerland) GmbH. 

  • Hong Kong SAR (China) by Principal Global Investors (Hong Kong) Limited, which is regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission and is directed exclusively at professional investors as defined by the Securities and Futures Ordinance. 

  • Other APAC Countries, this material is issued for institutional investors only (or professional/sophisticated/qualified investors, as such term may apply in local jurisdictions) and is delivered on an individual basis to the recipient and should not be passed on, used by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. 

  • Nothing in this document is, and shall not be considered as, an offer of financial products or services in Brazil. This presentation has been prepared for informational purposes only and is intended only for the designated recipients hereof. Principal Global Investors is not a Brazilian financial institution and is not licensed to and does not operate as a financial institution in Brazil. 

© 2022 Principal Financial Services, Inc. Principal®, Principal Financial Group®, and Principal and the logomark design are registered trademarks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a Principal Financial Group company, in the United States and are trademarks and services marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., in various countries around the world. Principal Global Investors leads global asset management at Principal®

MM12358-04 | 01/2022 | 1966509-122022

About the author