With the arrival of digital wholesale and retail players and the debut of new shopping features on social media platforms like TikTok Shop in Brazil, which allows users to buy products directly in videos and live streams and is projected to generate R$ 39 billion by 2028, the e-commerce market gains a new boost. In this way, the logistics warehouse market consolidates itself as one of the most attractive assets for investments in the real estate sector. Online sales are expected to reach R$ 235 billion in 2025, according to the Brazilian Association of Electronic Commerce (ABComm), which has sparked a real race for modern and well-located infrastructure, strategic targets of giants like Shopee, Mercado Livre, Amazon, and now TikTok Shop.
The dispute over spaces in regions with strategic access to ports, highways, and urban centers has contributed to sharp increases in square meter valuations. In regions such as the northern coast of Santa Catarina, the price per square meter of logistics warehouses can exceed 20% annually, according to data from Sort Investimentos, a sector specialist that manages R$ 3.9 billion in such assets. In addition to Navegantes and other surrounding areas of Itajaí, regions such as Araquari and Garuva, near Joinville and on the border with Paraná, close to port zones, are expected to record above-average levels.
"Of the real estate assets for investment, the vacancy rate of well-structured logistics warehouses is currently the lowest in the market. Of the total we manage, especially along the coast of SC, the vacancy is less than 5%, as they are essential to meet the agility, scale, and complexity required by digital wholesale and retail," highlights Douglas Curi, managing partner of Sort Investments.
According to the executive, in addition to states like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, and Minas Gerais, the state of Santa Catarina attracts logistics operators due to its infrastructure, location, and extensive support services."In recent years, we have experienced significant growth in leased area, and the trend is for continuous increase. Those who invest now in logistics assets in the right regions could capture one of the best appreciation cycles of the decade," emphasizes Curi.
Increase in imports in SC further heats up the logistics warehouse market
With a 15.3% increase in imports in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year, according to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce, and Services (MDIC), Santa Catarina strengthens its position as one of Brazil's main logistics hubs. The state has attracted operations that were previously concentrated in ports like Santos (SP), and has increased the importance of the port complexes of Itajaí, Navegantes, and São Francisco do Sul in the national scene. "The growth of imports in the state reinforces the need for more robust logistics infrastructure. This movement is expected to further accelerate the demand for modern warehouses in the region, especially from companies seeking agility in customs clearance and distribution of goods," the executive adds.
