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Couriers in China Industry Data and Analysis
The Courier industry is a relatively new business segment in China. In its modern form, it has existed for about 30 years. Industry demand was supported by the increasing income levels and purchasing power of Chinese residents. Industry's performance is also closely related to the development of ecommerce market in China, especially the online shopping market, as it depends heavily on couriers delivering goods purchased online. Industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualized 10.2% over the five years through 2024, to $191.0 billion. This trend includes a 10.0% jump in the current year. Online shopping market has developed rapidly in China benefiting from the increasing number of Internet users. As of 2023, the number of Internet users in China has reached 1.1 billion units, the Internet penetration rate in total population also increased to 77.5%. Online shopping as a share of total retail sales of consumer goods reached 32.7% in the year. In the five years to 2024, total courier volume in China is expected to rise at an average rate of 20.1%, to 158.6 billion units.Affected by the COVID-19 in 2022, total courier volume increased by just 2.1% from 2021, much lower compared with the previous years. This is mainly because the communities and factories where the cases occurred may be required to be closed or shut down, which has resulted in reduced production and trade activities and decreasing demand for express delivery services. In 2022, industry revenue decreased by 4.1% from 2021.Industry revenue is forecast to rise at an annualized 7.6% over the five years through 2029, to $275.2 billion. The recovery of China's economy and consumption in China will continue to support the industry growth. The implementation of RCEP will also stimulate international trade between China and member countries, and further promote the demand for international express services. The development of technology and systems applied to courier activities is forecast to further improve rapidly over the period. Productivity and efficiency in the industry is forecast to contribute to improve.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Couriers industry in China includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2014-2029. The most recent publication was released May 2024.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Couriers industry in China operates under the industry code 5990. Couriers in China provide collection, transportation and delivery services for parcels or small articles. They also provide customers with fast, convenient and flexible business express delivery services. Services provided by the national postal system are not included in the industry. Related terms covered in the Couriers industry in China include national postal system, express mail service (ems), intra-city express service and off-site express service.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Couriers industry in China include Intra-city express services, Off-site express services and International express services.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Couriers industry in China include S.F. Holding Co., Ltd., JD Logistics, Inc. and YTO Express Group Co., Ltd.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Couriers industry in China.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Couriers industry in China.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Couriers industry in China.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Couriers industry in China. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Couriers industry in China. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Couriers industry in China. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Couriers industry in China. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Couriers industry in China.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Couriers industry in China in 2026?
The market size of the Couriers industry in China is $191.0bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Couriers industry in China in 2024?
There are 1,184 businesses in the Couriers industry in China, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
How may import tariffs affect the Couriers industry in China?
The Couriers industry in China is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Couriers industry in China?
The Couriers industry in China is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Couriers industry in China grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Couriers industry in China has been growing at a CAGR of 10.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Couriers industry in China over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Couriers industry in China is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Couriers industry in China?
The biggest companies operating in the Couriers industry in China are S.F. Holding Co., Ltd., JD Logistics, Inc. and YTO Express Group Co., Ltd.
What does the Couriers industry in China include?
Intra-city express services and Off-site express services are part of the Couriers industry in China.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Couriers industry in China?
The company holding the most market share in the Couriers industry in China is S.F. Holding Co., Ltd..
How competitive is the Couriers industry in China?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Couriers industry in China.
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