Market Outlook

COVID-19 Driving Growing Demand for Data

Despite the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and COVID-19 outbreak, activity in the Hong Kong data center market has remained red hot. In one of the largest leasing transactions this year, US-based data center REIT Digital Realty announced in early July that it agreed to lease a newly completed purpose-built data center at 11 Kin Chueng Street in Kwai Chung as the operator’s second facility in the city.

Japan’s economy passed over the business peak around the fall of 2018, entering a clear recession due to the consumption tax rate hike in the October 2019 and exacerbated by the impact of the spread of COVID-19 since February 2020. However, with May 2020 as the bottom, Japan’s economy is now headed toward recovery.

Amid the impacts of the spread of COVID-19, the for-sale/transaction market for real estate in Japan has already peaked. However, the balance of power between sellers and buyers in transactions has not shifted notably as of present, and the functions of a sound real estate transaction market have been maintained.

Looking at Japan’s real estate rental market, with June 2020 as the bottom, the market conditions of hotels and retail properties are heading toward recovery after an abrupt setback due to countermeasures against the spread of COVID-19.

Colliers International, in its latest report titled “New Directions In Asia Pacific Logistics-Increasingly Varied Sector Requires Multiple Approaches” highlighted the positive outlook that lies ahead for Asia Pacific’s logistics market.

Across Asia Pacific, demand for logistics space has been supported by a long-run shift from physical to online retailing. COVID-19 has driven up e-commerce volumes sharply, while expansion in the cold chain sector and new infrastructure developments should boost demand further. Most investors and developers already see logistics warehouses as a core asset class.

While office rents continued to drop in the downbeat market, tenants seized the opportunity for better relocation options, resulting in high activity in the leasing market during the month. However, landlords further softened their approach and adopted a more realistic stance in negotiating leasing terms to secure tenants, so the majority of tenants tended to renew their leases. As a result, new take-up of Grade-A office space was at an exceptional low level during the month, particularly in the CBD area.

Amid the challenging economic environment, cost-competitiveness remains a pressing consideration for tenants. Going into 2021, we therefore expect to see a continuing decentralisation trend. We also foresee rising demand for co-working space, as more companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have been heavily impacted by the coronavirus-induced recession to actively explore flexible leasing options.