The GTA’s industrial market posted very strong fundamental indicators in the first quarter of 2021.
- Both the vacancy and availability rates are at their lowest percentages since Q1 2020. Average asking net rent increased by $0.36 quarter-over-quarter. Three million square feet of absorption is the largest amount since Q4 2019.
- This quarter was highlighted by a couple of acquisitions. In January, TransForce International announced that they acquired two divisions of UPS. In February, FastFrate Group announced that they acquired ASL Distribution Services.
- E-commerce sales made up 12% of all Canadian retail activity in January 2021, doubling from 6% since January 2020. This continues to fuel demand for industrial space in the GTA, Canada’s largest population centre.