The tests that the logistics sector has passed after the pandemic are diverse, companies have had to evaluate in general the strengths and weaknesses in their supply chains and in particular if the buildings, facilities and workers are prepared for redesign of storage, logistics and distribution processes.

In the case of real estate or industrial buildings, the new consumer needs will set the tone in terms of location, size, configuration, functionalities and the technology indicated to meet the demands of order fulfillment, where the need to reduce delivery times and minimize errors in the arrival of goods.

Of the main urban logistics formats that we know in the Mexican case, three stand out: fulfillment centers, micro fulfillments and dark stores.

Distribution centers or CEDIS, in English fulfillment centers, go beyond a traditional storage warehouse since the logistics functions that are carried out there include multiple additional facets to storage.

If you are looking for more information, consult: Mexico National Industrial Report to 2Q 2021

They are traditionally located in buildings with excellent connectivity close to the main land, airport and port transportation nodes; at the same time, they have the necessary infrastructure to respond in a timely manner to the needs of customers.

The micro-fulfillment or logistics micro-platforms are much smaller in format, between 600 square meters up to a maximum of 2,000 square meters, are located closer to cities than the CEDIS and are characterized by having automatic storage systems and capacity for prepare a large number of orders, mainly those corresponding to online sales.

The Dark Stores originating from the English and American concept, are retail points of sale exclusively dedicated to online sales in spaces smaller than CEDIS but greater than micro-fulfillment.

They are characterized by having no interaction with the end customer and their greatest exponent has been the large food chains that allocate a large part of their commercial areas to these dispatch warehouses.

Other industries that have used this concept are department stores that find in this modality an outlet to their vacant commercial spaces, as well as the case of underutilized parking lots.

In these last two types, the increase in efficiency is higher when compared to a physical store, as well as the reduction in cost, which is more advantageous in micro fulfillment although it requires a greater investment in technology.

The traditional last mile had limited flows compared to the current scenario where the decentralization of storage is a fact, getting closer and closer to the cities and facilitating the distribution and delivery process.

An example of this is Amazon in Mexico, which operates five logistics centers, two support buildings and two sorting centers in the country's main markets such as Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara and the State of Mexico. In addition to this, it will operate two more in Guanajuato and Baja California.

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Its CEDIS or distribution centers are located in the Apodaca submarket in Nuevo León, another two in Cuautitlán in the State of Mexico and its fourth location in Tepotzotlán within Prologis Park Grande, with an area of 100,000 square meters.

In February 2021, the company announced the construction of its new building by the developer Parks, through the Fibra Uno trust, which will have thousands of square meters, in which orders will be collected, used and sent to customers, according to said its main spokesperson in Mexico.

In March 2021, the company announced its next building in Hermosillo as part of the expansion plan in the country. These data and many others can be consulted in Solili's latest industrial report for 2Q 2021.

See also: Denso invests 9.8 million dollars for its expansion in Guanajuato

The construction of industrial spaces for e-commerce and logistics companies has been a constant in the country's markets, especially in Mexico City, which is the national logistics hub. The demand for industrial space by companies such as Mercado Libre, Estafeta, DHL, Fedex or Linio; It has allowed the industrial development of the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City.