Several parcel carriers announced that they have broken new parcel volume records in 2023, demonstrating a strong signal for the parcels industry.
InPost, a leading player in the European parcels industry led by CEO Rafal Brzoska, marked a significant milestone in 2023 by handling a record-breaking 892.1m parcels worldwide. This achievement represents a 20% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, InPost managed an impressive volume of 589m shipments within Poland. The increase in parcel volumes is not confined to local operations; Brzoska revealed that international markets contributed significantly, accounting for 34% of the total volumes for the year. Brzoska highlighted the exceptional performance of InPost during the fourth quarter of 2023, during which the company delivered 268.4m parcels. Moreover, the peak season saw InPost processing over 11m parcels within the busiest 24 hours. A pivotal factor in InPost’s growth is its network of parcel lockers. By the end of 2023, the company managed a network of 4.41m lockers.
In the UK, Evri announced that it delivered more than 150 million parcels during the peak period, including a 21% volume growth in deliveries during the week prior to Christmas, its best ever peak season. Evri states that they noticed a trend with bargain-hunting shoppers delaying their purchases in anticipation of discounts. Evri has recently invested more than £30m in strategic investments in customer services. To meet the demand, Evri hired over 6,500 additional colleagues. Furthermore, Evri’s accreditation as an Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime carrier in May 2023 paved the way for additional growth opportunities, positioning the company to handle several million parcels annually on behalf of merchants on Amazon’s platform. Additionally, it was announced this week that private equity group Advent International is considering options for Evri, including a potential sale. Advent holds a 75% stake in Evri and is working with advisers on its options for the business, which could be valued at around £2bn.
Also in the UK, Yodel announced a record year for 2023, with full-year parcel volumes increasing by 3% to reach 191m parcels. Volume growth was accompanied by a 3.4% increase in revenues. According to Yodel, several categories experienced notable growth, including Alcohol (+8%), Pet Foods (+2%), and Re-sellers (+7%). Of particular significance is the substantial increase in consumers opting for pre-loved items delivered through Yodel’s sustainable Out of Home network, with volumes doubling compared to 2022. During 2023 the signed new deals with Vinted and Paypoint.
Austrian Post achieved a milestone by transporting a record breaking 200m parcels in Austria in 2023, a 10% increase compared to the previous year. The growth in its parcel volumes were attributed to several factors, including growing consumer demand fuelled by declining inflation rates. The peak of daily operations saw Austrian Post transporting over 1.4m parcels. Beyond its domestic operations, Austrian Post’s influence extends internationally, with the company handling a total of 475m parcels across the Group in 2023, representing an impressive increase of almost 10% in volumes. Notably, partnerships with entities such as Turkey’s Aras Kargo and Starex in Azerbaijan have played a role in facilitating cross-border trade, with these collaborations accounting for the transportation of the majority of shipments.
Author: Paul Chapman
Source: Ti Insights
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