Your supplier has confirmed dispatch, but the space you expected to use is still occupied. Another delivery is due next week, and your team is already moving stock around to make room.

Storage can become an urgent problem long before goods reach the warehouse. Starting the conversation early gives your business time to agree suitable space, handling requirements and onward delivery arrangements.

New figures from CBRE provide a timely reason to review those plans.

What the latest warehouse figures show

In its UK Logistics Market Summary, published on 22 October 2026, CBRE reported that vacancy fell to 6.56% in the third quarter, its lowest level since Q1 2025.

The market tracked by CBRE recorded 5.3 million square feet of take-up, with third-party logistics and distribution occupiers accounting for the largest share, at 27%. CBRE Germany

These figures describe the logistics property market. They do not show how many pallet spaces an individual warehouse provider has available, or whether a particular facility can accommodate your goods.

For businesses arranging storage, the practical message is to check availability against their own requirements before committing to incoming deliveries.

Start with what is arriving and when

A useful storage enquiry needs more detail than an estimated number of pallets.

Share the expected quantities, packed dimensions, weights and arrival dates. Explain what the goods are, how they are packaged and whether they require particular handling or storage conditions.

If deliveries will arrive in stages, provide the expected schedule. Ten pallets arriving together may require different receiving arrangements from smaller deliveries spread across several weeks.

Flag uncertain information too. A provisional forecast gives your provider something to assess, provided everyone understands which details still need confirmation.

Plan how the goods will leave

The amount of space you need depends partly on how quickly stock moves out.

Goods held for a single project may leave together. Retail stock may be dispatched gradually, while imported goods could remain in storage until several consignments are ready for consolidation.

Explain the expected pattern when discussing your requirements. Agree how much notice is needed for retrieval or dispatch, who can authorise a release and what information must accompany the instruction.

Consider what happens if plans change. A delayed launch or postponed customer delivery could extend the storage period. Ask how an extension would be assessed and charged.

Confirm the service around the space

Suitable warehousing involves receiving, handling and releasing goods, as well as providing room to store them.

Before booking, establish:

  • When incoming deliveries can be accepted.
  • What unloading arrangements are required.
  • How quantities and the condition of goods will be recorded.
  • What stock information will be available to your team.
  • How retrieval and dispatch requests should be submitted.
  • Which charges apply to storage, handling and additional work.

Clear arrangements help purchasing, sales and operations teams work from the same information. They also make it easier to identify whether a proposed service suits the way your business operates.

Agree how changes will be handled

Early planning does not mean every forecast must be exact. It means giving your provider enough information to assess the requirement and discussing changes while options can still be considered.

Ask what happens if another shipment arrives, stock remains longer than expected or a customer needs goods sooner.

Additional capacity and urgent requests should be checked with the provider. Record what has been agreed, including any notice periods, charges and operating restrictions.

For example, if a supplier proposes sending extra pallets with an existing order, confirm the revised storage and receiving arrangements before approving dispatch.

Warehousing with SMA Worldwide

SMA Worldwide offers short and long term storage for pallets and individual items. Its headquarters includes a 25,000 square foot secure warehousing facility, with CCTV and security monitoring operating around the clock. Access, retrieval and dispatch arrangements are agreed with your account manager.

Storage can also support goods awaiting consolidation or onward transport. Availability and suitability should be confirmed for the proposed consignment and dates. SMA Worldwide Ltd.

If you are expecting additional stock, preparing for a project or reviewing an ongoing storage requirement, share your expected volumes, arrival dates and dispatch plans with the team.

Planning your next stock delivery? Contact SMA Worldwide to discuss your storage and onward delivery requirements.

01923 290 490
cs@smaworldwide.com
Contact SMA Worldwide