Analysis

Low rates could drive volumes higher in 2021.

Companies can turn unused or short-term office space into online learning hubs, allowing parents to bring older kids to work while staying productive.

Consumers are sitting on billions if not trillions of dollars in savings accrued during the pandemic.

The recovery of office-using jobs in the third quarter suggests a bright future for physical offices.

The top office markets in the US are seeing negative absorption, flat or decreasing rents and rising vacancy rates.

There is a growing recognition that it's better to plan and prepare now for the future economic risk associated with pandemic-related and other potential government shutdowns.

Factors like the nature of the items fulfilled, the delivery level of service, availability of capital and variability in throughput can help determine whether an investment in automation makes sense.

Already high vacancy rates are expected to rise as restrictions tighten, but some indicators still point to the possibility of a healthy holiday shopping season.