Logistics Manager has announced the launch of Urban Logistics, a new buyer-focused exhibition dedicated to the movement of goods within cities.
Taking place on 9-10 June 2027 at Excel London, Urban Logistics is being launched as part of European Logistics Month, a new initiative from Akabo Media, publisher of Logistics Manager, bringing together major logistics and supply chain events across London and Düsseldorf, Germany in June 2027.
Urban Logistics will focus on how goods are delivered, distributed, consolidated, managed, charged, collected and returned within dense, complex and regulated urban environments.
According to John Thornton, editor-in-chief of Logistics Manager, the event is being held in London because the capital is one of Europe’s most important urban logistics markets and a proving ground for many of the pressures now facing cities worldwide.
“As the largest city in western Europe, a trillion-dollar economy and the commercial centre of the world’s third-largest e-commerce market, London combines exceptional delivery demand with some of the most complex operating conditions in urban logistics.
“Freight and commercial vehicles travelled 3.6 billion miles on London roads in 2024, while operators must contend with congestion, ULEZ, kerbside pressure, fleet electrification, restricted logistics land and growing demand for cleaner, faster and more flexible delivery models.”
As such, Urban Logistics will cover the significant volume of B2B logistics, which is estimated to account for around 75% of urban goods delivery, that supports retail, hospitality, construction, healthcare, field service, public services, urban infrastructure and local economies, as well as B2C last-mile delivery.
The exhibition has been designed to bring together the full ecosystem responsible for moving goods through cities, including logistics operators, fleet and delivery providers, technology companies, retailers, wholesalers, brand owners, property and infrastructure partners, public-sector stakeholders and major users of urban logistics services.
Thornton added that the event will provide a national meeting place for the organisations shaping the future of urban delivery, fulfilment, fleet operations and city supply chains.
The launch comes as urban logistics operators face growing pressure around cost, congestion, emissions, kerbside access, clean air regulation, customer expectations, delivery performance, fleet transition, property availability and operational efficiency.
Exhibitor categories will include technology and solutions providers, carriers, couriers, postal services, reverse logistics providers, 3PLs, 4PLs, urban consolidation specialists, fleet and transport suppliers, property and infrastructure providers, locker networks, PUDO operators and customer collection specialists.
The technology focus will include route optimisation, transport management systems, delivery orchestration, telematics, AI planning, visibility, customer communications, emissions reporting, fleet management, workforce management, parking and loading tools, kerbside data, compliance and safety systems.
Fleet, transport and infrastructure suppliers will cover areas including electric vans, cargo bikes, refrigerated vehicles, leasing, fleet services, charging, energy management, emissions reduction technology, safety equipment, Direct Vision Standard-related systems, maintenance, driver management and alternative fuel solutions.
The visitor audience will include retailers, e-commerce operators, heads of logistics, supply chain leaders, last-mile and fulfilment directors, operations directors, fleet managers, transport directors, public-sector stakeholders and large urban logistics users.
Large urban logistics users are expected to include NHS trusts, universities, hospitality groups, facilities management companies, construction clients, foodservice groups, major venues, airports, rail operators, cultural institutions and local authority procurement teams.
Qualifying parcel, carrier, courier, 3PL and 4PL procurement teams will also attend as buyers of fleet, technology, charging, property, safety, compliance, energy, workforce and infrastructure solutions.
What’s more, Urban Logistics will feature three conference theatres: the Retail & Customer Delivery Theatre, the Urban Fleet & Infrastructure Theatre and the Public Sector, Property & City Logistics Theatre.
The Retail & Customer Delivery Theatre will focus on customer delivery experience, store-to-door fulfilment, failed delivery reduction, returns, peak planning, locker strategies, marketplace fulfilment and data-led delivery performance.
The Urban Fleet & Infrastructure Theatre will cover EV van deployment, charging infrastructure, cargo bikes, light electric freight, Direct Vision Standard compliance, kerbside and loading access, fleet productivity, microhubs, consolidation centres and emissions regulation.
The Public Sector, Property & City Logistics Theatre will examine city logistics policy, local authority procurement, urban consolidation, logistics space planning, last-mile property, freight partnerships, public-private pilots, construction logistics, healthcare logistics and data-sharing between operators and authorities.
A Supply Chain Excellence Awards Showcase will also feature on the show floor, presenting relevant award-winning and finalist projects from the UK’s most prestigious supply chain recognition programme, alongside case-study content from previous winners, judges, entrants and future awards prospects.
Thornton said: “Urban logistics has moved from the margins of the supply chain to the centre of some of the biggest operational, commercial and policy challenges facing the sector.
“Cities depend on the efficient movement of goods, but operators are having to manage rising delivery expectations, tighter regulation, limited kerbside access, fleet transition, cost pressure and growing demand for cleaner, smarter and more resilient logistics networks.
“Urban Logistics will bring that whole conversation together.”
For further details on Urban Logistics and European Logistics Month, please contact events@akabomedia.co.uk
