Executive Summary
Courier and express service specialists perform a vital function for
businesses where speed, combined with accuracy and total security in the
collection and delivery of mail, documents, parcels and freight is essential.
The couriers are not alone in this market as they are competing at different
levels in a number of trading categories with national post offices, freight
forwarding, transport and distribution companies in time-definite delivery
services in the UK, to Europe and worldwide.
The total value of a broadly defined market, which has evolved from simple
origins and developed many new facets, is estimated by Key Note to have reached
£3.3bn in 1996, an increase of 13% on 1995.
Most customers prefer same day or overnight 24-hour delivery of documents and
parcels timed for arrival between 8.30am and 9am the following day. This
accounts for approximately 70% of their UK business. The equivalent for most
European Union (EU) destinations is 48-hour guaranteed delivery which is
achieved by British companies forging strategic alliances and reciprocal links
with similar continental partners.
The speed and accuracy of courier and express services is based on
computer-controlled technology which is used for sorting, tracing and tracking
of every item in the supply chain, from collection to final delivery within a
time guaranteed period, and for proof of delivery. Road and air transport are
of critical importance for guaranteeing timed deliveries.
Electronic transmission of data and documents by fax, e-mail and the Internet
has potentially serious implications for the basic services provided by courier
and express companies.
Key Note anticipates that by the year 2001, the total value of courier and
express services will reach a total value of £5.1bn. The domestic market,
with a value of £2.9bn, will still dominate the industry's invoiced sales,
but its proportion of total business will drop from an estimated 63.6% in 1996
to 57.2% at the end of the 5-year period.
Eighth Edition 1997
Edited by Simon Howitt
ISBN 1-85765-693-8
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