Global Automatic Storage System Market Outlook (2025-2035)
The global automatic storage system market is set for robust growth, driven by rapid advancements in automation and digital transformation across manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics. Automatic storage systems (AS/RS) optimize storage density, boost inventory accuracy, and enable significant cost reduction, supporting a wide range of applications from automotive to e-commerce. By 2025, adoption will surge across both developed and emerging economies, transformed by state-of-the-art robotic, IoT, and cloud-based solutions, with a strong focus on return on investment and sustainable operations.
Latest Market Dynamics
Key Drivers
- The explosive growth of e-commerce and omni-channel retail is accelerating demand for automated warehouses to deliver fast, accurate order fulfillment. In 2024, Dematic launched a next-gen modular shuttle system supporting high-throughput for global retailers.
- Rising labor costs and workforce shortages are pushing industries towards automation. In June 2024, Swisslog partnered with a major North American grocery chain to deploy advanced robotic storage, directly addressing labor efficiency and cost control.
Key Trends
- Integration of IoT and cloud-based management platforms is enabling real-time analytics and remote monitoring. Kardex introduced its cloud-connected vertical lift module in July 2024, delivering on transparency and predictive maintenance.
- Sustainable AS/RS solutions are gaining traction as companies prioritize energy efficiency. SSI SCHAEFER’s latest green AS/RS installations in Europe demonstrate measurable reductions in operational power consumption.
Key Opportunities
- Emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and Latin America present sizeable untapped potential as warehouse upgrades and automation adoption accelerate. Mecalux expanded its presence in Brazil in August 2024, catering to regional demand.
- Healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are adopting automated storage for temperature-sensitive goods and regulatory compliance. In June 2024, Bastian Solutions deployed tailored AS/RS systems in US hospital networks.
Key Challenges
- High initial investment and integration complexity persist as significant challenges, particularly for SMEs. KNAPP AG has responded with modular, scalable AS/RS systems, reducing upfront CAPEX for small facilities.
- Supply chain disruptions and semiconductor shortages have impacted the timely delivery of automation hardware. Daifuku reported project delays in May 2024 due to component sourcing setbacks.
Key Restraints
- System compatibility with legacy infrastructures can restrict AS/RS adoption. Vanderlande offered API-driven retrofit solutions in June 2024 to bridge new technology with older warehouses.
- Cybersecurity risks associated with networked, cloud-based AS/RS platforms are growing. In July 2024, Murata Machinery enhanced its platforms with advanced encryption and threat detection capabilities.
Automatic Storage System Market Share by Type (2025)
In 2025, Unit Load AS/RS leads the global market share, reflecting widespread adoption in large-scale manufacturing and distribution centers. Mini Load AS/RS and Robotic Storage Systems are quickly catching up due to their flexibility in smaller, high-frequency environments and the need for scalable automation. Carousel-based AS/RS, Vertical Lift Modules, and Shuttles further diversify the technology mix, especially in environments with specific material handling requirements. Companies are increasingly focusing on hybrid solutions to maximize space utilization and operational throughput across all industry sectors.
Automatic Storage System Market Share by Applications (2025)
By application, the automotive sector retains the largest market share in the automatic storage system market for 2025, supported by ongoing investments in smart factories and lean manufacturing. E-commerce and retail closely follow, propelled by the need for speed and accuracy in online order fulfillment. The food & beverage and healthcare industries exhibit fast-growing adoption rates as regulatory compliance and cold storage efficiency become business imperatives. Aerospace and other sectors maintain steady growth, driven by the need for high-accuracy parts storage and rapid inventory agility.
Global Automatic Storage System Market Revenue (2020-2035)
The global automatic storage system market is projected to grow consistently from 2020 to 2035, reflecting compound annual growth driven by automation demand in warehousing, retail, and manufacturing. Revenue is estimated at $7,500 million in 2025, surging past $19,300 million by 2035. Significant inflection points are anticipated in 2027 and 2031, corresponding to large digital initiatives and the accelerated rollout of cloud-connected AS/RS offerings. Major sectors including e-commerce, automotive, and food & beverage are expected to account for much of this growth trajectory.
Automatic Storage System Market YOY Growth (2020-2035)
Year-over-year growth rates for the automatic storage system market demonstrate sustained upward momentum. Following moderate growth between 2020 and 2024 (6.5%-7.5%), market acceleration is expected through 2027 (10.3%-11.6%) as next-generation AS/RS deployments take hold. The sector maintains above 8% annual growth through 2030 before gradually stabilizing towards 6.2% by 2035. This trend reflects broad-based adoption across multiple applications and geographies, with innovation and digital integration driving sustained gains.
Automatic Storage System Market Share by Regions (2025)
North America and Europe collectively command the largest share in the automatic storage system market in 2025, driven by early adoption, ongoing digital transformation, and mature logistics infrastructure. Asia-Pacific rapidly increases its share with manufacturing, retail, and cold storage innovation. South America, Middle East, and Africa present emerging opportunities, notably in food logistics and retail distribution segments. Market penetration remains highest in advanced economies, while growth rates are set to outpace in emerging regions as infrastructure upgrades and automation investments gain momentum.
Automatic Storage System Market Players Share (2025)
The automatic storage system market exhibits moderate consolidation, with Daifuku Co., Ltd., Swisslog Holding AG, Kardex Group, and SSI SCHAEFER Group accounting for nearly half of the global share by 2025. Other major vendors, including Knapp AG and Vanderlande Industries, continue to expand their footprint, leveraging product innovation and strategic acquisitions. Competitive dynamics are shaped by the ability to offer scalable, digitally integrated, and energy-efficient systems, resulting in increased market share for top-tier technology leaders. Automatic Storage System Market Buyers Share (2025)
Major buyers in the automatic storage system market are segmented across automotive OEMs, leading e-commerce retailers, food & beverage processing companies, pharmaceutical organizations, and aerospace suppliers. E-commerce and retail chains represent the single largest buyer segment in 2025 due to the scale and velocity of order fulfillment required. Automotive, healthcare, and aerospace together make up a significant share, adopting AS/RS to support quality, agility, and compliance. This buyer diversity underpins robust market resilience and multi-sector growth.
Study Coverage
| Metrics | Details |
|---|
| Years | 2020-2035 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Market Size | Revenue (USD Million) |
| Regions | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa |
| Segments | By Type (Unit Load AS/RS, Mini Load AS/RS, Carousel-based AS/RS, Vertical Lift Module, Shuttles, Robotic Storage Systems), By Application (Automotive, Food & Beverage, Healthcare, E-commerce, Aerospace, Others), By Distribution Channels (Direct Sales, Distributors, Online, Value Added Resellers, System Integrators, Others), By Technology (Hardware, Software, Services, IoT-based, Cloud-based, On-premise), By Organization Size (Small, Medium, Large) |
| Players | Daifuku Co., Ltd., Swisslog Holding AG, Kardex Group, SSI SCHAEFER Group, Knapp AG, Bastian Solutions, LLC, Murata Machinery, Ltd., Vanderlande Industries, TGW Logistics Group GmbH, Mecalux S.A., Dematic, System Logistics S.p.A., Westfalia Technologies, Inc., Dearborn Mid-West Company, Beumer Group |
Key Recent Developments
- June 2024: Swisslog announced a multi-site partnership with a North American grocery leader for robotics-powered storage solutions.
- July 2024: Kardex unveiled its next-gen cloud-native Vertical Lift Module with enhanced analytics.
- June 2024: Murata Machinery upgraded its AS/RS platform with advanced machine learning-driven diagnostics.
- August 2024: Mecalux opened a new regional hub in São Paulo, Brazil to support booming Latin American demand.
- July 2024: SSI SCHAEFER began delivery of ultra-low energy AS/RS installations across leading European distribution centers.
