AI and robotics poised to automate over 85% of UK fulfilment warehouses by 2030, Impact Express research

A sweeping transformation driven by AI and automation is set to redefine the UK fulfilment industry, with Impact Express reseqrch indicating that over 85% of warehouses will be automated by 2030.

The analysis highlights a fundamental change in logistics operations spurred by labour shortages, escalating e-commerce demands, and significant cost saving incentives for businesses investing in AI technologies.

It underscores that AI adoption is already well underway. In 2023, 45% of UK fulfilment centres had implemented AI powered automation, and 55% of businesses increased their supply chain investment, prioritising AI and automation.

This trend is expected to accelerate, with over half of UK fulfilment centres projected to use AI in their operations by 2025, rising to 70% by 2027. By the end of the decade, the tech is anticipated to handle over 90% of warehouse logistics tasks globally, with warehouse automation becoming the industry standard.

Neil Miller, Managing Director at Impact Express, comments: “What stands out in this research is how fast things are moving. Technologies like AI and robotics, once limited to the biggest players, are becoming more accessible and widespread."

There has been a dramatic surge in the deployment of service robots within the transportation and logistics sector, a key enabler of automated goods movement. Sales of these robots increased by 44% in 2022 and a further 35% in 2023, with an estimated 140,000 units to be sold in 2024.

For the UK, this translates to an average of approximately 4.25 robots per fulfilment warehouse by 2025, a figure expected to climb to 7.52 robots by 2030. The UK currently has an estimated 98,463 fulfilment warehouses as of 2024.

“The growth in service robot adoption shows that this isn’t a future idea - it’s already happening,” says Miller. “Fulfilment businesses should be assessing their current operations and identifying areas where automation could improve efficiency and help them keep up with rising customer expectations.”

Key AI technologies identified as spearheading this change include automated picking and sorting systems, AI powered inventory management with predictive analytics, Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for warehouse navigation, AI enhanced order processing, and the use of computer vision and machine learning for quality control.

While traditional manual warehouse roles are expected to decline, the report highlights the emergence of new opportunities in AI logistics analysis, automation engineering, data specialisation, and system supervision. Companies like Ocado, John Lewis, and GXO Logistics are already illustrating this shift by integrating AI and robotics, leading to increased efficiency and the redeployment of staff into new, skilled roles.

The implications of these findings extend throughout the logistics and wholesale courier provision sectors. As fulfilment centres become increasingly automated, the entire supply chain will benefit from enhanced speed, accuracy, and efficiency.

For wholesale courier providers like Impact Express, this means adapting to new service expectations driven by AI optimised warehousing, ensuring seamless integration with automated systems, and leveraging these advancements to offer faster, more reliable, and cost-effective delivery solutions to their clients.

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries. 

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September.

This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.

Please email our Editor, Scott Thompson, if you have any questions or need further information: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com

Key 2025 dates

Friday, 18th July: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 22nd July: 2025 finalists revealed

Wednesday, 23rd July - Friday, 8th August: Judging days

Wednesday, 3rd September: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, to be held at The Barbican in Central London.