Parcel deliveries to hit record levels

A STUDY released by FedEx predicts a 10.9% rise in shipments from October to December compared to the same period in 2023. 

The independent study was conducted by Effigy Consulting, which analysed its courier, express and parcels (CEP) database with 500,000 data points on more than 300 carriers in 41 countries.

The data shows a significant increase on the UK figures for 2023, up from 1.17bn  parcels to 1.29bn in 2024. The UK will be the busiest market for parcels this Peak season, representing 21% of the total deliveries made, equating to 12 parcels per person across the UK and Europe.  

Germany and France will be the second and third busiest markets, with Germany accounting for 17% (1.1 bn) and France making up 8.4% (524 mil) of the total parcels delivered across Europe. 

FedEx operations managing director Alun Cornish, says: “Peak season is a critical period for UK businesses, with many relying on logistics to meet increased demand. This year will be a pivotal moment for the sector as online shopping and deferred delivery preferences continue to shape consumer behaviour.

“FedEx’s operations will scale to meet the UK’s increased demand, with a robust network ready to handle the surge in shipments to make this peak a success.

“Competition from China gets a lot of attention, but we must not forget that this is a two-way street, with Europe exporting 481 million parcels driven by the continued growth of E-commerce internationally.”