Market Trends of Mexico 3PL Industry
Domestic Transportation Management is growing Traction in the Coming Years
• The domestic transportation management segment is the largest segment by service type, supported by the wholesale and retail trade end-user segment in the Mexico market, while the total 3PL market accounts for a share of 15.58%. The two main factors driving demand in the domestic transportation sector are the phenomenal rise of e-commerce and the growing requirement for nearshoring to outsource production or logistics to Mexico.
• In the domestic logistics sub-index in the Emerging Market Logistics Agility Index (IALME) – 2022, Mexico is in Ninth place with 5.54 points. Mexican domestic transportation is also benefitting from a wave of investment led by manufacturers that want to simplify their access to the US market following a period of supply chain congestion, record high freight rates, and inventory stuck on ships. Some prominent companies in these businesses include American producers Boyd and MGA Entertainment, the Chinese furniture company Keeson Technologies, and the Danish medical equipment firm Ambu.
• Domestic transportation in Mexico is mostly road-dominated. 75% of carriers operating in southern Mexico have access to an average of one hundred trucks or less, which in many cases are family-owned, as per the industry association. The increase in trucking in Mexico is a result of the number of goods it transports, the simplicity with which many economic sectors may employ it, and the sheer quantity of customers and business partners who use it.
• Some recent developments in the market are in January 2023. Aiming to capitalize on the rapid growth of e-commerce transactions across Mexico, last-mile solutions provider Locus has expanded its operation and service offerings in the country. To double down its efforts in Mexico, Locus has also partnered with Mexico City-based LastMile Consulting, aiming to understand better the regional market nuances to service existing and new customers. In May 2022, Fletes Mexico and its subsidiary Express Cargo are innovating their existing services like general cargo services, dedicated services, consolidated cargo, and last mile.
By End-user Consumer and Retail Segment is Gaining Momentum in the Future
• Modern format retail stores and multinational franchises, such as Walmart and Starbucks, are constantly growing and developing alongside the traditional ‘kangaroos’ and adapted concepts, such as OXXO and Farmacias Similares, in Mexico. In Mexico, FedEx is one of the most frequently offered delivery service providers among online stores. DHL and Redpack are among the top three shipping service companies offered by online retailers in Mexico.
• Apart from these, online retail startups, like Gaia Design and Gaudena, have come up with catering to different segments. The retail and consumer sector is one industry that has the potential to exceed Mexico’s average national future growth. According to the Mexican Online Sales Association, impediments to increased e-commerce usage include cybersecurity risks, with 80 % of eCommerce users noting concerns over electronic fraud and 74 % lacking confidence in providing banking information online.
• An estimated 98% of online purchases are made through smartphones, with two out of 10 buyers making purchases on SmartTVs. Products sold online are covered by Mexico’s Federal Copyright and Industrial Property Law.
• In May 2023, Online fashion giant Shein is exploring plans to build a factory in Mexico as one of its manufacturing hubs outside China, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as the company faces increased scrutiny from US lawmakers and looks to expand its Latin America footprint.
