Summary of our market study
The French express freight market, valued at around €5.2 billion
The global express delivery market, estimated at $277.04 billion in 2022, is expected to reach $303.84 billion, indicating a strong growth trend with a forecast CAGR of 7.2% to 2027.
The main drivers are dynamic B2B and B2C flows, thanks in particular to the expansion of e-commerce, whose sales have risen to reach 146.9 billion euros in 2022, with service sector growth of 36% year-on-year.
evolution of the express delivery market in France
In response to the growing demand for fast, efficient transport of goods, the express delivery market is experiencing considerable growth in France.
The market is growing considerably. The French express freight market is estimated to be worth around 5.190 billion euros by 2022, with heavy goods vehicles accounting for almost 87% of the national freight market.
E-commerce, estimated at between €145 and €150 billion, is accelerating the market. There will be over 200,000 active e-commerce sites in 2022.
85% of French people prefer home delivery services. However, less costly relay point delivery is on the rise. Parcel tracking services, alerted by e-mail or telephone, are also in high demand.
The sector is highly concentrated. Global leaders DHL, FedEx and UPS have a substantial presence in France
Start-ups are innovating, particularly in last-mile delivery.
Profile of the express delivery titans: Domination and strategy in the fast freight arena
- Chronopost, a subsidiary of La Poste
- DHL - The Deutsche Post DHL Group is a behemoth in the global logistics sector. DHL employs over 3,600 people in France alone.
- United Parcel Service Inc, UPS (United States) - UPS is an American giant.
- FedEx Corporation (United States) - World leader
- Aramex PJSC (United Arab Emirates) - A powerful Middle Eastern entity.
- SF Express (Group) Co. Ltd (China) - SF Express has become a force to be reckoned with in China and worldwide
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Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1. Presentation and definition of the express delivery market
Express transport is a service that delivers goods quickly and efficiently from one point to another, faster than traditional delivery services. This service is particularly popular with businesses, especially those in sectors such as online sales, logistics, healthcare and finance.
There are three categories of courier, depending on delivery times:
- traditional couriers, who commit to delivering parcels within 24 to 72 hours;
- fast courier services, which pick up parcels before 6 p.m. for delivery on D+1 before 6 p.m;
- express freight with shorter lead times: delivery is generally before 12 noon for collection the evening before. It guarantees on-time delivery, real-time tracking of shipment progress, and full handling of administrative and customs formalities.
However, the difference between express and courier services is very subtle, so much so that express courier services are sometimes included in express freight.
The global market, estimated at $277.04 billion in 2022, is set to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% to 2027, a sign of the market's expansion. It comprises B2B flows, but also B2C flows, boosted by the development of e-commerce.
The French express freight market is also booming, following a slight downturn during the health crisis. Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are the preferred mode of transport, accounting for almost 87% of the market for domestic freight. Market players are undergoing a process of concentration, with numerous takeovers. Inflation and the war in Ukraine are not conducive to lower prices. However, industry players are constantly innovating and offering solutions adapted to both professional and private customers.
1.2. The global express freight market benefits from a stimulating economic environment
The size of the global express delivery market was estimated at $***.** billion in **** and is expected to reach $***.** billion in ****, representing growth of *.*%. The market is then expected to grow at a CAGR of *.*% until ****.
Estimated growth in the size of the global express delivery market World, **** - ****, in $ billions Source: ...
1. 3. express freight: a thriving market in France
The French express freight market is registered under NAF code **.**A, which groups together the courier and express freight markets. Thus, the size of the express freight market can be obtained by studying this broader sector.
courier and express freight market sales trends France, **** - ****, in € billions Source: ****
In ****, sales amounted ...
1.4. A special feature of the market: e-commerce, a growth driver for the sector
E-commerce refers to all commercial transactions carried out via digital interfaces, essentially on the Internet using computers, tablets, smartphones and other devices.
Total sales generated by e-commerce, by type of purchasing device France, ****-****, € billion Source: ****
In ****, sales in the e-commerce sector, including products and services, will total €***.* billion, marking an ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1. Home delivery and parcel tracking: French preferences
The consumption habits of the French population are favorable to express freight: the French are more inclined to have deliveries made to their homes, and to be able to track their deliveries in real time.
Home delivery is preferred in France, but delivery to a relay point is also popular:
A ...
2.2 A minority of French are prepared to pay more for shorter delivery times
According to an OpinionWay survey published in ****, too long a delivery time is the second reason leading customers to abandon their order. In fact, **% of those surveyed said they had already abandoned an online purchase because of a delivery time that was too long.
Reasons for abandoning an online purchase France, ...
2.3 French people's preferences for different parcel delivery companies
Numerous delivery companies operate in France, but it's clear that consumers prefer French groups.
How the French rate the different parcel delivery companies France, ****, in Source: ****
The three groups preferred by the French are French brands: Colissimo (***). The appreciation gap between French brands and those of other nationalities is wide, since ...
3 Market structure
3.1. The French express freight market is becoming increasingly concentrated
The number of courier and express companies in France is steadily declining, from *,*** in **** to *,*** in ****, corresponding to a drop of around **%.
number of establishments in the courier and express freight sector France, **** - ****, in number of establishments Source: ****
This phenomenon reflects a concentration of the business, with the biggest companies ...
3.2. Strengthening national and international players
The two world leaders in express parcel delivery are American giants FedEx and UPS. Lately, FedEx has benefited from an influx of customers from UPS, which has been affected by the threat of strikes. An agreement was reached with employees ahead of the *ᵉʳ August **** deadline, averting the strike. In addition, FedEx's ...
3.3. The different phases of parcel delivery and the last mile
Sending a parcel is a process that requires a number of different stages to ensure that it runs smoothly and is optimized, which is why express delivery companies are so efficient.
The last stage in the parcel delivery process is the so-called"last mile". This term designates the final segment in ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1. Road freight, the main medium for express deliveries
There are different types of express freight, depending on the delivery method used:
road rail maritime air
Modal shares of land freight transport France, ****, in Source: ****
In ****, for the first time since ****, the share of road transport by heavy goods vehicle in overland freight transport (***) has fallen, from **.*% in **** to **.*%. However, ...
4.2. A steady rise in prices
The following graph shows the production price indices for French courier and express freight services. These indices have been rising since ****.
Output price indices for French services to French courier and express companies France, Q*-**** - Q*-****, in price indices Source: ****
The rise in prices can be explained by ...
4.3. Transport prices
Websites such as tarif-colis.com enable consumers to easily compare prices and encourage competition. The procedure simply involves entering the country of departure and arrival, and the weight and dimensions of the parcel: a list of carriers detailing the service and price is then proposed by the website.
Prices vary according ...
4.4. Innovation at the heart of the express freight sector: some French start-ups make their mark
Faced with the big global players with their substantial economies of scale, some French start-ups are trying to assert themselves by being more innovative, flexible and digital.
Trusk, for example, aims to revolutionize delivery. The company's business model is based on the express transport of bulky objects, with delivery within the ...
5 Regulations
5.1 Installation constraints
Professional road haulage contractors are subject to specific regulations. They must register their company, whether using two- or four-wheel motorized vehicles, on the transporters' register managed by the Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement (***). Before registering, they must obtain authorization from the regional prefect, via the ...
5.2 The main points of professional regulations
Regulation of road haulage is based on the law of December **, ****, known as the"LOTI".the Loi d'Orientation des Transports Intérieurs (***), recodified in the Transport Code in December ****, establishes a right to transport that aims to enable travel under reasonable conditions of access, quality, price and cost for the community. ...
6 Positioning the players
6. Segmentation
- Geodis
- DB Schenker
- FedEx
- GLS (Royal Mail)
- UPS
- Colissimo La Poste
- Chronopost (La Poste)
- Mondial Relay (Otto group)
- DHL International Express France
- TNT Express
- DHL Group
- InPost
List of charts presented in this market study
- Estimated growth in the size of the global express delivery market
- Sales trends in the courier and express freight market
- Market share of different types of transport in domestic freight transport
- Total sales generated by e-commerce
- Number of active e-commerce sites
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the express transport market | France
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