Category: SKR Insights
-
CEP market under pressure: Mixing parcel networks with same-day delivery leads to a loss of efficiency – and money
The German CEP market continues to grow, but pressure on the last mile is mounting. From SKR AG’s perspective, the decisive competition arises not solely from faster delivery times, but from the economic management of different delivery networks. Traditional parcel networks and hyperlocal same-day models follow fundamentally different rules regarding costs, capacity utilisation and scaling.…
-
Europe’s parcel market faces a wave of consolidation: growth is no longer enough
The European parcel logistics market is facing a new phase of consolidation. Whilst parcel volumes in most markets are now growing at only low single-digit rates per year, costs and demands on infrastructure and efficiency are rising significantly. “Growth alone is no longer enough to sustain business models,” says Rico Back, Managing Partner at SKR…
-
EU Delivery Act: Europe’s parcel market faces restructuring
The European Commission is working on a new legal framework for the delivery market: the EU Delivery Act. The public consultation (‘Call for Evidence’) runs until 5 March. From SKR AG’s perspective, this phase will determine how competition and investment in the European parcel market will function in the future. “We are talking about regulation,…
-
Millions of parcels, hardly any controls: Flat-rate customs duty falls short
The large-scale EU-wide customs control operation published in early January makes one thing clear: a significant proportion of e-commerce goods shipped directly from third countries to EU consumers do not comply with European product and safety standards. Shipments from China are particularly affected. “These figures are not a one-off anomaly – they reflect a structural…
-
SKR analysis: Chinese platform economy shifts power relations in logistics
Chinese online platforms such as Temu and Shein are rapidly reshaping Europe’s trade and logistics structures. With heavy investment in their own fulfilment and distribution centres, they are establishing local delivery networks that are forcing traditional parcel services and retailers to rethink their strategies. This is the conclusion of a new analysis by SKR AG.…
-
Competing for the customer: How platforms and retailers are challenging parcel logistics
Digital platforms, new players on the last mile, and an increasing number of retailers with their own delivery infrastructure – are traditional parcel services being pushed to the sidelines? While e-commerce volumes continue to rise, margins, access to customers, and strategic leeway are shrinking. To survive, parcel services need more than just volume: what is…
-
Fulfilment and automation – the next evolutionary step in traditional parcel logistics?
Even though e-commerce continues to grow, rising customer expectations, cost pressure, and labour shortages are driving the need for greater efficiency. Parcel services, as well as companies in many other sectors are therefore increasingly investing in fulfilment services and automated warehouses. This is where efficiency in logistics begins. At the same time, the global market…
-
Parcel services in times of crisis: back to the basics
Competition is strong, the economic environment is weak – what is growing above all are the costs: parcel services are all struggling with the same challenges. How can their profitability be restored? The fact is that parcel services have to calculate to the third decimal place. This can only succeed if they concentrate on their…
-
AI – an upgrade for parcel logistics
Artificial intelligence has already begun to transform the CEP industry. It is driving numerous innovations, particularly on the last mile, and will be indispensable for companies in the future in order to achieve decisive competitive advantages. A look at specific use cases, key factors for successful implementation, and important trends. ChatGPT was just the beginning.…
-
Digital logistics – make the right investments now
The race is on: logistics companies that want to be at the forefront of the market need advanced digital solutions. Basic technology is no longer enough. This makes it all the more important to make targeted investments now. However, implementation is complex and requires a digital vision and the reshaping of the business model. The…