US Retail 3PL Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

US Retail 3PL Market Analysis

The US Retail 3PL Market size is estimated at USD 51.94 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 69.43 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

• The US retail 3PL market is driven by e-commerce and changes in supply chain dynamics. The US, which houses many of the world's largest retail giants, is a dominant player in the global retail arena. Over the last twenty years, US retail sales have skyrocketed, leaping from just under USD 3 trillion in 2000 to an impressive USD 7.24 trillion in 2023. This growth trajectory was punctuated by a significant leap of over USD 500 billion from the previous years.
• General merchandise stands out as one of the dominant sectors in the US retail arena. Unlike specialized outlets, general merchandise stores cater to diverse consumer needs, offering everything from apparel and electronics to home furnishings. This category encompasses department stores, dollar stores, and big-box retailers.
• In October 2024, US retail sales rose by 0.4% month-over-month, building on a revised 0.8% increase from September and surpassing market expectations of a 0.3% uptick. Electronics and appliance stores led the charge with a 2.3% sales boost, followed closely by auto dealers at 1.9%. Other notable increases came from food services and drinking establishments (0.7%), building materials and garden equipment (0.5%), and non-store retailers (0.3%).
• General merchandise stores saw a 0.2% rise, while food and beverage outlets and gasoline stations both inched up by 0.1%. On the flip side, miscellaneous store retailers faced a 1.6% decline, with furniture stores down by 1.3%. Sporting goods, hobby shops, musical instrument outlets, and bookstores dropped by 1.1%, and clothing retailers saw a modest 0.2% dip. When excluding auto sales, retail figures still managed a slight 0.1% increase. However, when factoring out food services, auto dealerships, building material outlets, and gasoline stations—key components in GDP calculations—sales dipped by 0.1% after a significant surge, marking the largest gain since early 2023. As retail sales surge, there's a parallel uptick in demand for third-party logistics in the market.
• 3PL providers are harnessing new technologies to boost efficiency and adapt to evolving consumer expectations. In November 2024, C.H. Robinson launched C.H. Robinson Managed Solutions, a cutting-edge logistics management platform aimed at streamlining supply chain operations for businesses, regardless of their size. This platform seamlessly combines third-party logistics (3PL), fourth-party logistics (4PL), and an advanced transportation management system (TMS) into a unified solution. Thanks to this advancement, shippers can now address their intricate logistics requirements without depending on multiple service providers.

US Retail 3PL Market Trends

Immense demand from online segment

US Retail 3PL Industry Segmentation

A third-party logistics (3PL) partner or service assists manufacturers, especially e-commerce merchants, in outsourcing activities related to logistics and distribution. A 3PL company provides specialized services such as inventory management, cross-docking, door-to-door delivery, and product packaging.

The US retail 3PL market is segmented by product (food and beverages, personal and household care, apparel, footwear, and accessories, furniture, toys and hobbies, electronic and household appliances, and other products) and distribution channel (supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, specialty stores, online, and other distribution channels). The report offers market size and forecasts for the US retail 3PL market in value (USD) for all the above segments.