Online shopping has become a persistent trend. In addition, more and more people now choose home delivery and parcel boxes, while deliveries to drop-off points have decreased. Despite more transport, emissions are falling.
The number of packages sent from e-tailers to private individuals in Sweden has increased by 3.1 percent during the first quarter of the year compared to last year. A total of 47.9 million parcels were sent, of which 47.4 e-commerce parcels and 0.4 million larger consignments of goods, according to the new Parcel Index report from Transport companies.
– This report shows that e-commerce has stagnated in 2022 but has now grown in the first quarter of 2023. Consumers have a new behavior and continue to shop e-commerce but want more and more home deliveries, either directly to their own home or in a parcel box, says Tina Thorsell, head of social policy at Transportföretagen.
“The most efficient way of transport”
As the carriers’ offerings broaden and the network of parcel lockers expands, more people are now choosing convenience over business. During the first quarter of 2023, home deliveries increased by 12.1 percent, while packages to delivery points decreased by 6.3 percent. More packages also mean more transports, but the transport companies believe that home delivery and to package boxes is a good alternative for the environment.
– This is a climate-smart way of transporting the goods, the longer the goods travel together, the better. The alternative is that every single person would go to a store and then back. This is the most transport efficient way to transport parcels.
Increased transport, reduced emissions
Transporters are now faced with new challenges as consumer behavior changes and expectations for environmentally smart vehicles increase. While transport is increasing, the report shows that emissions are instead decreasing.
– The green transition is crucial both for society and for transport. E-commerce means that the goods travel together for a longer distance and that is essentially good, it is climate and transport smart, says Tina Thorsell.