UK Leads The World In Ecommerce – Finds FTA Report
The UK leads the world in ecommerce, with growth now coming from increased frequency of online purchasing, according to The Logistics Report 2014 – the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA’s) analysis of the ideas, news and views that shaped the transport and logistics industry in the last 12 months.
With the support of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the latest FTA report outlines the significant economic, business, political, safety and environment, skills and training issues that have affected the transport and logistics sector in the past year.
Included in the results was the PwC UK Total Retail Survey, which identified that 27 per cent of consumers are now shopping online on a weekly basis, and predicts that tablet and smart phones will account for 25 per cent of online retail sales by 2017.
FTA Chief Executive, Theo de Pencier commented:
“These are changing times for the transport and logistics industry, particularly in light of the explosion of ecommerce and online shopping. As a result, consumer demands for flexible deliveries have increased – providing retailers and the logistics sector the challenge to achieve the required level of flexibility. The Logistics Report 2014 reflects this fast-paced revolution and outlines the need for the freight and logistics industry to develop a simple, scalable and flexible supply chain to be able to react quickly to evolving trends.”
Now in its fifth year, The Logistics Report 2014 explores the influences that businesses should take into account as they deliberate, plan and invest for the future. Combining the resources and knowledge of PwC and FTA, the report draws on a rich supply of independent and in-house research. There will be a Parliamentary launch of the 2014 Logistics Report due to be held at the House of Commons; at 8.30am on Thursday May 8th – kindly sponsored by Robert Flello MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Freight.
Coolin Desai, UK Transport & Logistics Leader – PwC said:
“The transport and logistics sector is taking centre stage, increasingly recognised as key to stimulating trade, helping business efficiency and supporting economic growth. In an era of accelerated globalisation, with both business and consumers demanding better transport options, an integrated transport strategy is more important than ever. Getting this right will be key to driving the best return on investment.”
FTA members have reported increased optimism about business growth, with over half saying that they expect increased business activity during the coming year, and that they anticipate the number of redundancies to reduce and the number of staff to increase.
Economic indicators for UK logistics improved in 2013 – with the demand for movement of goods showing the first year-on-year improvement since 2010.
Mr de Pencier concluded:
“The insights and experience of FTA members have added invaluable depth and breadth to every aspect of our work, and we hope that The Logistics Report 2014 is a thought-provoking and refreshing assessment of UK logistics.”
