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Postal & Courier Activities in Ireland Industry Data and Analysis
Over the five years through 2026, the Postal and Courier Activities industry’s revenue is set to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.9% to €3.3 billion, including a forecast hike of 1.4% in 2026. Rapid e-commerce growth has been the key driver of this rise, ratcheting up demand for parcel delivery services. According to data from the Central Statistics Office, online sales as a share of Irish retail climbed from 5.7% in November 2023 to 6.9% in November 2025, significantly strengthening demand for parcel delivery services. However, declining letter volumes pose a substantial challenge as traditional mail continues to wane, necessitating adjustments within the industry. Despite these challenges, profit remains fairly high as growth in premium, time‑definite ecommerce deliveries helps to underpin returns, offsetting some of the structural decline in letters.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released January 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland operates under the SIC industry code H53.000IE. Licensed and non-licensed postal operators and courier companies pick up, sort, transport and deliver letters, parcels, bulk materials, documents and medical supplies. Postal operators distribute advertising material, newspapers and periodicals. Postal activities under the EC Universal Service Directive are included. Related terms covered in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland include universal service obligation, zero-hour and if-and-when employment contracts and express delivery.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland include Domestic parcel delivery, International parcel delivery and Letter delivery.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland include An Post, Interlink Ireland Ltd and DHL Express (Ireland) 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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland.
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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland.
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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland.
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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland. 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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland. 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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland. 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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland. 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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland in 2026?
The market size of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland is €3.3bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland in 2026?
There are 3,287 businesses in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland?
The Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland 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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland?
The Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland has been growing at a CAGR of 3.9 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland?
The biggest companies operating in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland are An Post, Interlink Ireland Ltd and DHL Express (Ireland) Ltd
What does the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland include?
Domestic parcel delivery and International parcel delivery are part of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland?
The company holding the most market share in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland is An Post.
How competitive is the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Ireland.
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