The market for removals - Germany

1.1 Introduction

The moving market is a dynamic sector that offers a wide range of services. In this category can be included many services, such as:

• Residential remov als (for private individuals)
• Corporate moves (offices and premises)
• Warehouse removals (warehouses)

The moving market is very seasonal, as most moves take place during the summer months, usually from May to September.

Globally, the annual growth rate of the moving market is about 4%. This is simply due to people changing their place of residence, which can be caused by a change in their professional or personal situation. Residential relocation accounts for a large portion of relocation services. This is mainly due to an increase in demand for urban housing, driven by the metropolization of the economy.

In Germany, the relocation market is growing. According to a survey by the German Federal Statistical Office, about 10 million people move each year, compared to only 3 million in France. The main cities influencing the growth of this market are large German cities such as Berlin, Munich or Hamburg.

The typical customer profile in Germany is particularly diverse in terms of moves. While individuals often move for professional reasons or to be closer to their family, companies are looking for ways to optimize their costs.

For example, the main companies in the German moving market are:

• DMS (Deutsche Möbelspedition): Market leader, offering both moving and storage services
• Zapf Removals

The latest trends in the German moving market include a transition to environmentally friendly services and the introduction of innovative technologies to reduce waste (cardboard boxes, bubble wrap). In addition, moving companies are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint by using electric vehicles. However, these vehicles have yet to prove their efficiency in moving large volumes over long distances. The transition to greener moves has begun, but there is still much work ahead.