Focuspoints

  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands and Belgium 
  • Poland and Central Europe
  • Nordic countries
  • Preparing across Europe

 

From the largest economies to smaller regional hubs, each market has its own patterns that influence how providers and buyers prepare. To make these differences clearer, we’re breaking it up by country and looking at how the seasonal peak plays out across Europe.

 

Germany 

Germany is the largest logistics market in Europe and the main testing ground for new capacity models. Demand here peaks sharply in November, driven by fashion, consumer electronics, and household goods.  

The challenge in Germany is not only demand but also driver shortages. The country faces one of the largest gaps in the EU, with tens of thousands of unfilled driving jobs. This limits flexibility in the autumn months.  

Buyers shipping into Germany should secure both road and last-mile capacity early and consider shifting some volumes to lockers and pickup points.

 

France 

France continues to expand as a logistics hub within Western Europe, with steady growth in cross-border flows from Belgium, Germany, and Spain.  

The country’s transport networks face strong seasonal peaks, especially in the autumn, and providers are investing in new capacity to keep pace.  

Infrastructure must handle both high-density urban areas and more dispersed rural regions, which requires flexible routing and distribution strategies. 

For buyers and logistics partners, preparation in France means securing reliable capacity early, making use of expanding locker and pickup networks where possible, and ensuring strong inbound and returns management.  

Fashion and consumer goods remain heavy drivers of volume, but the broader cross-border trade flows make France a strategic point for autumn planning.

 

Spain 

Spain is one of the fastest-growing logistics markets in Southern Europe. The country’s distribution networks must balance long domestic road routes with international flows from France, Italy, and Germany, as well as maritime traffic and storage planning to and from the Balearic and Canary Islands. 

Black Friday and Christmas peaks strain Spain’s warehousing and transport, so buyers must plan early with carriers to secure coverage on both mainland and islands and avoid November congestion. 

 

Italy 

Italy plays a dual role in European logistics: it is both a major consumer market and a key entry point for goods arriving from Asia.  

Ports such as Gioia Tauro and Genoa remain critical gateways, but disruptions on the Suez Canal route have highlighted the importance of buffer time and alternative routing. 

Domestically, logistics performance varies between northern and southern regions, with stronger infrastructure in the north.  

For buyers and providers, this means planning for regional delivery differences and building contingencies into schedules.  

Ahead of the autumn peak, importers should strengthen partnerships with providers and port operators and ensure inland distribution capacity is aligned with expected surges. 

 

The Netherlands and Belgium 

The Netherlands and Belgium serve as a combined logistics gateway for Northern Europe.  

Rotterdam is Europe’s largest seaport, while Schiphol Airport is a leading air freight hub, giving the region strategic importance for imports and cross-border distribution. 

Belgium shows slower locker adoption but remains deeply integrated with neighboring countries, making the Benelux region a natural unit for planning.  

For buyers, using flexible distribution centers in this area can shorten delivery times and provide a stable base for managing autumn peaks across multiple European markets. 

 

Poland and Central Europe 

Poland has grown into one of Europe’s strongest logistics hubs. It is both a fast-expanding domestic e-commerce market and a strategic base for Central and Eastern Europe.  

The rise of parcel lockers helps networks absorb seasonal peaks, while competitive warehousing and labor costs make the region attractive for distribution services. 

At the same time, demand is rising quickly, and networks can run close to capacity in autumn.  

For 2025, buyers and logistics providers should secure warehouse slots and transport capacity in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary well before September.  

 

Nordic countries 

Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway rely heavily on pickup points and lockers, which makes their networks more resilient during peak.  

The challenge in the Nordics lies in geography and cost. Long distances, winter weather, and higher transport prices require careful planning.  

To prepare for autumn 2025, buyers should position stock in regional hubs in southern Sweden or Denmark, which can serve multiple markets efficiently.  

Reliability matters more than speed in this region, so consistent service levels and strong partnerships should take priority.

 

 

Preparing across Europe 

For all these countries, the same principles apply:

 

  • Plan flows week by week, not just month by month.  
  • Balance contract and spot agreements to secure capacity but stay flexible.  
  • Use lockers and pickup points wherever possible to reduce failed deliveries.  
  • Test VAT and customs setups before peak weeks to avoid blocked parcels. And don't forget returns! Europe’s consumer laws mean inbound flows will surge in December and January, and having local hubs ready will make a difference. 

 

Conclusion 

Europe’s autumn delivery season is never easy, but it is predictable. Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland will see the heaviest pressure. The Nordics, Benelux, and Central Europe will play key supporting roles. The bottom line is simple: autumn 2025 will be busy but manageable for those who prepare now. 

 

For more insights and industry updates, visit Inside Business, the Europages blog, where you’ll find additional articles on procurement strategies and logistics.