Please Wait.....
Report
United Kingdom Courier, Express, And Parcel (CEP) - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026 - 2031)
Market Report I 2026-02-09 I 306 Pages I Mordor Intelligence
United Kingdom Courier, Express, And Parcel (CEP) Market Analysis
The United Kingdom courier, express, and parcel market was valued at USD 17.77 billion in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 18.32 billion in 2026 to reach USD 21.35 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 3.11% during the forecast period (2026-2031). This measured expansion indicates a mature competitive arena in which technology-led efficiency, automation, and network optimization now influence profitability more than headline volume growth. Domestic deliveries still dominate activity, but cross-border volumes are rebounding as post-Brexit trade protocols stabilize, while consumer-centric e-commerce is redefining service mix and delivery speed expectations. Competitive strategies emphasize data-driven routing, asset-light partnerships, and targeted acquisitions that deepen last-mile density. Regulatory oversight has intensified under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, sharpening compliance costs but also creating a clearer operating framework that rewards transparency and consumer protection.
United Kingdom Courier, Express, And Parcel (CEP) Market Trends and Insights
E-commerce Penetration Surge
Online retail continues to lift parcel volumes, reshaping service expectations toward faster, traceable, and flexible deliveries. Operators able to guarantee narrow time windows capture premium yields, while those relying on standard services face margin pressure. Specialist networks that handle fragile or high-value items leverage their service differentiation to win customer loyalty. At the same time, peer-to-peer resale platforms are scaling shipments that bypass traditional store-based supply chains, broadening the customer base for locker networks and label-free shipping options offered by major carriers. These forces collectively push investment into routing software and automated sortation systems that underpin profitable high-velocity last-mile operations.
Cross-Border E-commerce Expansion
The re-establishment of predictable customs rules has reignited international parcel flows, especially toward EU destinations. Carriers with customs brokerage depth and multilingual support are now widening market share by shortening clearance cycles through data-rich pre-declaration tools exemplified by AI-enabled classification engines. Northern Ireland enjoys a unique dual-market profile under the Windsor Framework, encouraging service propositions that span Great Britain and the EU without duplicative paperwork. As shoppers regain confidence in ordering from continental merchants, shipment value density rises, favoring time-definite express products.
Driver Shortages and Wage Inflation
The industry confronts persistent recruitment gaps that elevate labor costs and threaten on-time performance. Independent operators with limited wage flexibility see profitability squeezed, whereas larger networks deploy retention bonuses, in-cab safety tech, and career pathways to stabilize turnover. Some carriers are piloting crowd-sourced fleets and autonomous delivery pilots to reduce reliance on traditional HGV licenses. Rising payroll also inflates insurance premiums and training overheads, compounding cost pressure during seasonal surges.
Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:
Automation and Real-Time Tracking Roll-OutRise of Micro-Fulfillment Q-commerceUrban Congestion and ULEZ Charging Zones
For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.
Segment Analysis
Manufacturing maintains a 33.27% share in 2025, leveraging predictable production schedules and inbound component flows. However, e-commerce is the brightest growth spot at 3.41% CAGR between 2026-2031 as omnichannel retailers outsource fulfillment and last-mile delivery. Healthcare logistics registers brisk momentum, supported by home-based clinical trials and direct-to-patient pharmaceutical deliveries that demand strict temperature and chain-of-custody protocols.
Financial services continue to require secure documentation transport, but digitalization is gradually trimming physical shipment volumes. Industrial and raw-material flows depend on carriers equipped to handle hazardous or regulated goods, reinforcing the value of specialized certifications inside the United Kingdom courier, express, and parcel market.
International values, expanding at a 3.24% CAGR between 2026-2031, illustrate how stabilized customs frameworks are reinvigorating trade flows between the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Express carriers that integrate digital customs pre-clearance into booking platforms facilitate seamless cross-border shopping experiences, thereby capturing demand for time-definite delivery. Domestic traffic still anchors 64.62% of the United Kingdom courier, express, and parcel market share in 2025, buoyed by e-commerce and reshoring initiatives that prioritize local supply chain resilience.
The United Kingdom courier, express, and parcel market size benefits from volume diversification as platform-based merchants tap foreign consumer bases and U.K. shoppers broaden sourcing choices. Operators with multilingual support desks, transparent duty calculators, and consumer-friendly returns processes convert these flows into profitable repeat business. Northern Ireland, enjoying streamlined EU access, is emerging as a logistics bridgehead, enabling carriers to reposition hubs that serve both Great Britain and Europe efficiently.
The United Kingdom Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) Market Report is Segmented by End User Industry (E-Commerce, Manufacturing, and More), Destination (Domestic and International), Speed of Delivery (Express and Non-Express), Shipment Weight (Heavy Weight Shipments, and More), Mode of Transport (Air, Road, and Others), and Model (Business-To-Business, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).
List of Companies Covered in this Report:
APC Overnight DHL Group FedEx GEODIS International Distributions Services (including Royal Mail) La Poste Group Otto Group (including The Hermes Group) Rapid Parcel United Parcel Service (UPS) Yodel
Additional Benefits:
The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
3 months of analyst support
1 Introduction
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2 Research Methodology
3 Executive Summary
4 Market Landscape
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Demographics
4.3 GDP Distribution by Economic Activity
4.4 GDP Growth by Economic Activity
4.5 Inflation
4.6 Economic Performance and Profile
4.6.1 Trends in E-Commerce Industry
4.6.2 Trends in Manufacturing Industry
4.7 Transport and Storage Sector GDP
4.8 Export Trends
4.9 Import Trends
4.10 Fuel Price
4.11 Logistics Performance
4.12 Infrastructure
4.13 Regulatory Framework
4.14 Value Chain and Distribution Channel Analysis
4.15 Market Drivers
4.15.1 E-Commerce Penetration Surge
4.15.2 Cross-Border E-Commerce Expansion
4.15.3 Automation and Real-Time Tracking Roll-Out
4.15.4 Fleet Electrification Incentives
4.15.5 Rise of Micro-Fulfilment Q-Commerce
4.15.6 Indoor/Out-of-Home Locker Ecosystems
4.16 Market Restraints
4.16.1 Driver Shortages and Wage Inflation
4.16.2 Volatile Fuel and Energy Prices
4.16.3 Urban Congestion/ULEZ Charging Zones
4.16.4 Land-Scarce Hub Capacity Constraints
4.17 Technology Innovations in the Market
4.18 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.18.1 Threat of New Entrants
4.18.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.18.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.18.4 Threat of Substitutes
4.18.5 Competitive Rivalry
5 Market Size and Growth Forecasts (Value, USD)
5.1 Destination
5.1.1 Domestic
5.1.2 International
5.2 Speed of Delivery
5.2.1 Express
5.2.2 Non-Express
5.3 Model
5.3.1 Business-to-Business (B2B)
5.3.2 Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
5.3.3 Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)
5.4 Shipment Weight
5.4.1 Heavy Weight Shipments
5.4.2 Light Weight Shipments
5.4.3 Medium Weight Shipments
5.5 Mode of Transport
5.5.1 Air
5.5.2 Road
5.5.3 Others
5.6 End User Industry
5.6.1 E-Commerce
5.6.2 Financial Services (BFSI)
5.6.3 Healthcare
5.6.4 Manufacturing
5.6.5 Primary Industry
5.6.6 Wholesale and Retail Trade (Offline)
5.6.7 Others
6 Competitive Landscape
6.1 Market Concentration
6.2 Key Strategic Moves
6.3 Market Share Analysis
6.4 Company Profiles (Includes Global Level Overview, Market Level Overview, Core Segments, Financials as Available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for Key Companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
6.4.1 APC Overnight
6.4.2 DHL Group
6.4.3 FedEx
6.4.4 GEODIS
6.4.5 International Distributions Services (including Royal Mail)
6.4.6 La Poste Group
6.4.7 Otto Group (including The Hermes Group)
6.4.8 Rapid Parcel
6.4.9 United Parcel Service (UPS)
6.4.10 Yodel
7 Market Opportunities and Future Outlook
7.1 White-Space and Unmet-Need Assessment
- Not Sure / Need Reassuring
- Confirm Content
-
Content is provided by our partners and every effort is made to make Market Report details as clear as possible. If you are not sure the exact content you require is included in this study you can Contact us to double check. To do this you can:
Use the ‘? ASK A QUESTION’ below the license / prices and to the right of this box. This will come directly to our team who will work on dealing with your request as soon as possible.
Write to directly on support@scotts-international.com with details. Please include as much information as possible including the name of report or link so our staff will be able to work on you request.
Telephone us directly on 0048 603 394 346 and an experienced member of team will be on hand to answer.
-
- Sample Pages
-
With the vast majority of our partners we can obtain Sample Pages to support your decision. This is something we can arrange without revealing your personal details.
It is important to note that we will not be able to provide you the exact data or statistics such as Market Size and Forecasts. Sample pages usually confirm the layout or the Categories included in Charts and Graphs, excluding specific data.
To ask for Sample Pages by contact us through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346.
-
- Check for Alternatives
-
Whilst we try to make our online platform as easy to use as possible there is always the possibility that a better alternative has not been found in your search.
To avoid this possibility Contact us through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346 and a Senior Team Member can review your requirements and send a list of possibilities with opinions and recommendations.
-
- Confirm Content
- Prices / Formats / Delivery
- Prices
-
All prices are set by our partners and should be exactly the same as those listed on their own websites. We work on a Revenue share basis ensuring that you never pay more than what is offered elsewhere.
Should you find the price cheaper on another platform we recommend you to Contact us as we should be able to match this price. You can Contact us though through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346.
-
- Discounts
-
As we work in close partnership with our Partners from time to time we can secure discounts and assist with negotiations, this is part of our personalised service to you.
Discounts can sometimes be arranged for speedily placed orders; multiple report purchases or Higher License purchases.
To check if a Discount is possible please Contact our experienced team through ‘? ASK A QUESTION’, support@scotts-international.com, or by telephoning 0048 603 394 346.
-
- Available Currencies
-
Most Market Reports on our platform are listed in USD or EURO based on the wishes of our Partners. To avoid currency fluctuations and potential price differentiations we do not offer the possibility to change the currency online.
Should you wish to pay in a different currency to that advertised online we do accept payments in USD, EURO, GBP and PLN. The price will be calculated based on the relevant exchange rate taken from our National Bank.
To pay in a different above currency to that advertised online please Contact our team and a quotation will be sent within a couple of hours with payment details.
-
- Licenses
-
License options vary from Partner to Partner as is usually based on the number of Users that will benefitting from the report. It is very important that License ordered is not breached as this could have potential negative consequences for you individually or your employer.
If you have questions or need confirmation about the specific license we recommend you to Contact us and a detailed explanation will be provided.
-
- Global Site License
-
The Global Site License is the most comprehensive license available. By selecting this license, the Market Report can be shared with other ‘Allowed Users’ and any other member of staff from the same organisation regardless of geographic location.
It is important to note that this may exclude Parent Companies or Subsidiaries.
If you have questions or need confirmation about the specific license we recommend you to Contact us and a detailed explanation will be provided.
-
- Formats
-
The most common format is PDF, however in certain circumstances data may be present in Excel format or Online, especially in the case of Database or Directories. In addition, for certain higher license options a CD may also be provided.
If you have questions or need clarification about the specific formats we recommend you to Contact us and a detailed explanation will be provided.
-
- Delivery
-
Delivery is fulfilled by our partners directly. Once an order has been placed we inform the partner by sharing the delivery email details given in the order process.
Delivery is usually made within 24 hours of an order being placed, however it may take longer should your order be placed prior to the weekend or if otherwise specified on the Market Report details page. Additionally, if details have been not fully completed in the Order process a delay in delivery is possible.
If a delay in delivery is expected you will be informed about it immediately.
-
- Shipping Charges
-
As most Market Reports are delivered in PDF format we almost never have to add additional Shipping Charges. If, however you are ordering a Higher License service or a specific delivery format (e.g. CD version) charges may apply.
If you are concerned about additional Shipping Charges we recommend you to Contact us to double check.
-
- Prices
- Ordering
- By Credit Card
-
We work in Partnership with PayU to ensure payments are made securely in a fast and effortless way. PayU is the e-payments division of Naspers.
Naspers operates in over 133 International Markets and ranks 3rd Globally in terms of the number of e-commerce customers served.
For more information on PayU please visit: https://www.payu.pl/en/about-us
-
- By Money Transfer
-
If you require an invoice prior to payment, this is possible. To ensure a speedy delivery of the Market Report we require all relevant company details and you agree to maximum payment terms of 30 days from receipt of order.
With our regular clients deliver of the Market Report can be made prior to receiving payment, however in some circumstances we may ask for payment to be received before arranging for the Market Report to be delivered.
-
- By Credit Card
- Security
- Website security
-
We have specifically partnered with leading International companies to protect your privacy by using different technologies and processes to ensure security.
Everything submitted to Scotts International is encrypted via SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and all personal information provided to Scotts International is stored on computer systems with limited access in controlled environments.
-
- Credit Card Security
-
We partner with PayU (https://www.payu.pl/en/about-us) to ensure all credit card payments are made securely in a fast and effortless way.
PayU offers 250+ various payment channels and eWallet services across 4 continents allowing buyers to pay electronically, whether on a computer or a mobile device.
-
- Website security