Global Express & Small Parcels 2021

The express and small parcels market experienced soaring revenues and impressive growth in 2020, but challenges lie ahead, particularly for the on-demand sector.

“Global Express & Small Parcels 2021” provides comprehensive analysis of the current state of the market, the future of express and small parcels and what it might look like in a post-Covid era, and where there are opportunities for growth.

The report contains in depth assessment of the future of on-demand, evaluating the challenges the sector is facing now that buying behaviour is changing. The report also addresses B2B express, assessing market characteristics, major drivers, and customer segments.

Finally the report profiles and compares leading express providers and integrators, and contains Ti's bespoke logistics market sizing, covering 2020 growth rates, full year 2021 projections and 2021-2025 forecasts.

This report contains:

• Market sizing and forecasts - 2021 full year projections, 2020 full year and 2021 H1 growth rates and 2021-2025 CAGR forecasts, split by country, international and domestic.

• Comparison of market pricing and parcel yields .

• The future of on-demand delivery , including analysis of on-demand economics, investment, consolidation, localised services and market opportunities.

• Detailed assessment of B2B express logistics , including market characteristics, major drivers, and customer segments.

• In depth express provider profiles .

• Comparative reviews of the global integrators.

Key Findings

• Express growth looks to be slowing in the second half of 2021.

• Ti projects the market will grow by 10.4% in 2021, and will grow at a 7.7% CAGR through to 2025.

• There are far better prospects for on-demand in developing markets due to wealth inequality, driver remuneration and the ability to cover large urban areas.

• To be economically viable, on-demand companies need to increase efficiency, delivery network density, 'shopping basket' value and commission.

• As lockdowns end and on-demand volumes stagnate, consolidation may be the only option for providers to sustain the drop density they require to make their operations profitable.

• Inventory policy and customer service levels are key drivers for B2B express logistics.

• Buying behaviour is evolving, making it difficult to assess the trajectory of volume & demand for traditional B2B services.

• In markets where competition is intense, achieving yield gains is challenging for existing operators.

Key Findings

• Express growth looks to be slowing in the second half of 2021.

• Ti projects the market will grow by 10.4% in 2021, and will grow at a 7.7% CAGR through to 2025.

• There are far better prospects for on-demand in developing markets due to wealth inequality, driver remuneration and the ability to cover large urban areas.

• To be economically viable, on-demand companies need to increase efficiency, delivery network density, 'shopping basket' value and commission.

• As lockdowns end and on-demand volumes stagnate, consolidation may be the only option for providers to sustain the drop density they require to make their operations profitable.

• Inventory policy and customer service levels are key drivers for B2B express logistics.

• Buying behaviour is evolving, making it difficult to assess the trajectory of volume & demand for traditional B2B services.

• In markets where competition is intense, achieving yield gains is challenging for existing operators.

About the authors

Prof John Manners-Bell is Chief Executive of Ti, Honorary Visiting Professor at the London Metropolitan University's Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law and an adviser to the World Economic Forum. He has over 25 years' experience working in and analysing the global logistics sector.

Thomas Cullen is a widely respected writer and has been analyzing the global logistics market for over 15 years. He has edited a number of international publications and written for most of the leading trade publications in Europe. He has written several in-depth reports on a variety of subjects including Automotive and Chemical logistics. Thomas has been vital in adding value to Ti's Logistics Briefing service for the last 10 years and works on many global consultancy projects.

Caterina Ciccone joined Ti in 2019 as a researcher. She studied English and Spanish Modern Languages in Italy where she developed a passion for research. After graduating Caterina studied teaching education at Bath Spa University. She has since then worked as a sales administrator using her Italian and Spanish language skills to support customers and as a researcher in the operational risk field. Caterina is passionate about learning about logistics companies and their strategies and contributes to Logistics Briefing and Ti's Global Supply Chain intelligence portal.

Nia Hudson is a Research Analyst at Ti. She studied History as an undergraduate, before moving on to complete a master's in public policy at Bristol University, where she developed a keen interest in globalisation and supply chains. During her time at Bristol, she also worked as a teaching assistant in a primary school. Nia is passionate about research and contributes to Logistics Reports and Ti's Global Supply Chain intelligence portal.

Connor Wyse is a quantitative analyst at Ti. His main role is the sizing of several core logistics markets for Ti's market reports. Connor studied economics at The University of Stirling, which has provided him with a strong understanding of economics and statistics. Connor is enthusiastic about researching logistics and deepening his knowledge of the industry.