Romania’s fast-growing e-commerce sector is driving rising demand for industrial and logistics real estate. Emerging as a logistics leader in Central and Eastern Europe, Romania is capitalizing on its prime location and cost efficiency. Cities like Bucharest-Ilfov, Timișoara, Cluj-Napoca, and Brașov stand out as expansion hotspots, Cushman & Wakefield Echinox reports.
The largest e-commerce players currently operate close to 1 million square meters of industrial and logistics space, a mix of leased and owner-occupied facilities. This footprint represents around 10% of the country’s total logistics stock, positioning e-commerce companies among the top five largest occupiers in the market.
Labor costs remain relatively competitive compared to other European markets, offering a strong incentive for investors. Meanwhile, rental prices for logistics space can exceed €4.5 per square meter per month, depending on location and the quality of the facilities—highlighting the growing demand and value placed on well-situated, modern properties.
It is estimated that Romania’s e-commerce market will generate €47.8 billion between 2025 and 2029 the projected fastest-growing categories include grocery, home appliances, beauty, auto & moto and hobbies. In 2024, the number of online shoppers increased significantly, reaching 10.2 million people, representing 55% of internet users in the country.
A significant growth opportunity in the digital market relates to the low number of companies which sell online in Romania, their share being of almost 50% vs. the EU average, despite the fact that the country can boast an internet penetration rate of 94% and more than 50% of the population is doing online shopping.