The UK generated 80 parcels per person – the highest of all countries in the latest Parcel Shipping Index released by Pitney Bowes, a global technology company that provides ecommerce, shipping, mailing, data and financial services.
The index also revealed China generated 108 billion parcels in 2021, making it the first country to exceed 100 billion parcels within one year, as forecast in the previous edition. Global parcel volume reached 159 billion in 2021 equating to 5,000 parcels per second. While, total carrier revenue reached US$491.5bn.
Furthermore, the index estimated that parcel volume could reach 216 billion or as high as 300 billion by 2027, with a 5.5% – 11.5% CAGR from 2022-2027.
“2021 was a pivotal time for the parcel shipping industry as it experienced the aftershocks of 2020 and faced new challenges,” said Jason Dies, EVP and President, Sending Technology Solutions, Pitney Bowes.
“It is incredible to see carriers generating strong revenue growth despite the headwinds. As consumer shopping habits evolve and inflationary pressures persist, it will be interesting to track the 2022 results.”
All countries reported double digital carrier revenue growth except Japan. The US once again generated the highest carrier revenue, at US$188bn. France generated the highest revenue per parcel at US$9.63, the average revenue per parcel was US$3.
In the UK, all major carriers in the UK reported parcel revenue growth in 2021. Royal Mail generated the highest revenue of all major carriers at US$6.88bn, an increase of 13% year-over-year, with Amazon Logistics reaching US$3.12bn in revenue.
Yodel saw the highest year-over-year revenue increase of 33% to US$1.36bn, up from US$1.03bn the previous year. The independent parcel carrier recorded its first year of profits after a year of significant growth, and plans to hire 4,000 new colleagues ahead of a busy run up to Christmas.
