The value of the Polish courier, express, and parcel (CEP) market is approximately PLN 1.5 billion. Although it records increasing growth year by year, it still remains far behind Western markets. Industry analysts agree that the market’s further development will be supported by Poland’s good location in Europe, relatively high economic growth, and the increasing willingness of companies to outsource distribution processes.
According to data from the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE), there are 114 entities operating in the CEP industry. Less than three years ago, there were half as many such companies. However, these data do not reflect the actual picture of the market. On one hand, only a portion of the companies found in the UKE register provide courier services for other entities. On the other hand, it is estimated that there are actually many more express carriers. Dozens, or even hundreds, of companies operate without the appropriate entry in the UKE register. These include taxi corporations, small local transport companies, or even groups of young bicycle couriers.
The reported industry revenues are also estimates. There is no reliable source that presents them accurately. Logistics companies, which provide express distribution services among many others, do not separate their revenues based on the source of origin. An additional problem is that most express carriers belong to international corporations that account for their sales revenues in different ways.
An unsaturated market
The highest growth in the industry was recorded in the mid-90s. That was when most companies were established, initially providing simple courier services. Although the times when the CEP market grew at a rate of 50-60% are long gone, its momentum remains at a high level. Industry analysts believe that in terms of value, as well as the number of transported parcels, the potential of this industry has not yet been exhausted. –
Taking into account the turnover generated by this industry in Western Europe, one can expect similar results in our country as well, which proves that the potential of the Polish market is not yet fully utilized
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emphasizes Rafał Nawłoka, General Director of Masterlink Express. For example, in Spain, which has a similar population, the number of parcels per person is several times higher. Meanwhile, in Germany, Great Britain, France, and the Benelux countries, where the courier market is very well developed, this ratio is even more than ten times higher. –
This difference results, among other things, from the significant fragmentation of distribution in these countries
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orders contain smaller quantities of goods. In Poland, the shipment of full truckloads and palletized cargo still prevails. Besides, in Poland, deliveries to private individuals are not as popular as in the West, where sales via the Internet take place on a much larger scale
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notes R. Nawłoka.
Krzysztof Zdziarski, General Director of UPS Poland, believes that these differences will decrease and the courier industry will continue to develop successfully in the coming years. This is to be supported by a good economic climate. –
Poland, which is the largest country and market in Central Europe, is characterized by a very fast development rate in the EU. The forecast for 2005 assumed economic growth of approx. 4.5%
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he adds.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka”, No. 1/2006.