The European courier and express market is being redefined by intense competition from established players, new entrants and developed parcel delivery alliances which are all agressively looking to increase market share. The drivers shaping the industry include the imminent liberalization of postal services, greater consolidation, growing demand for value added services and the spread of eCommerce across the market at large. All these factors combine to offer exciting new opportunities for parcel and express operators.

In Germany, a postal law was passed in December 1997 which paved the way for greater competition of courier services in Germany. Strong growth in courier service reflects a plus of 11.5% to the previous year and a growth of 28.3% over a 5 year period.

The French market for courier services is a value of €5.3 billion (US$5.7 billion) with a health growth rates at 6%. The market has grown by just under 36% over the review period of 5 years, a significant share of which has been generated by the growth in premium express services.

In the UK, largely to the growth in the shipping of express freight which has become an increasingly important activity for courier companies, the total market for courier and express services, comprising mail, documents, parcels and freight, was £4.8 billion (US$7.5 billion), up by 6% on previous year.

*Information sources: Euromonitor International, Datamonitor, Access Asia