While the average price rise expected in last year’s survey was broadly in line with the RPI, the actual increase coming through to users has been much lower. Despite this pattern nearly half of all respondents who had used more than one carrier gave price differentials as their main reason.
The report, for which fieldwork was carried out by Triangle during the summer of 2006, provides this growing segment with much needed market feedback from customers which will assist all service providers to identify opportunities in the further strategic development of their businesses. It is clear that there is still growth in this sector, although this has fallen from around 40% a few years ago to a still healthy 25-30% according to this latest survey. Indications from the report are that growth will continue, with a large proportion of customers expecting to increase volumes shipped in the next year. Linked to this volume increase is the recent phenomenon identified in the report of the growing use of ½ or ¼ pallets by shippers.
The decision to utilise particular pallet or parcels networks is another area investigated. Brand awareness of networks in general remains low, while many local (network member or branch) brands spontaneously identified are in fact part of the bigger corporate, private or member-owned networks. This implies that local awareness amongst shippers remains high, as does loyalty, and that this is a more dominant factor in choice of carrier than network allegiance per se.
The annual UK Pallets Survey provides an invaluable information and benchmarking source for anyone needing to be up to date with developments in the UK domestic express pallet market. In addition to the conclusions already referred to on price, carrier brand awareness and loyalty, within the report’s 108 pages readers will find opinions on user attitudes to market changes, selection criteria, media recall, shipment trends, services used, performance ratings for each carrier and suggestions for service improvements. In the latter category, tracking and tracing and reliability issues feature strongly.
Triangle surveys are a cost-effective means of acquiring detailed market research for strategic analysis and market planning. With extensive experience in market research and syndicate surveys, Triangle brings its industry knowledge of this sector to provide an added-value interpretation of results. The content and methodology are based on many years’ experience developing these surveys in the mail, express and courier markets in the UK and abroad. Primary research is complemented by industry intelligence and informed analysis. The 2006 edition of the UK Express Pallet Distribution Survey is an indispensable update on the state of the market in this country.
This report is currently available, and anyone interested in purchasing a copy should contact Triangle Express Director Robin Parr-Davies at robin.parr.davies@triangle.eu.com or by calling the research department on 0870 950 7900.
Notes for Editors:
- Triangle’s market research services include annual syndicate surveys, market overviews and bespoke research conducted throughout the world on behalf of subscribing companies, giving an insight and analysis of local and regional market issues not readily found elsewhere;
- Studies using similar methodology include the UK Parcels Distribution Survey, the French Domestic Express Customer Survey and the UK International Express Outbound Survey. These surveys are conducted annually;
- The 2006 UK Express Pallet Distribution Report is available for purchase at £11,500 + VAT. In addition, customers of the 2006 survey can buy a copy of the 2005 report at half-price;
- For more information, contact Robin Parr-Davies on 0870 950 7900 or by email: robin.parr.davies@triangle.eu.com.
Triangle Management Services Ltd, founded in 1984, is today the pre-eminent independent specialist management services company within the global mail, express and logistics sectors. Triangle offers the following services to clients: Recruitment, Market Research, Consultancy, Conferences and Mergers and Acquisitions – all of which focus primarily on the mail and express industry sectors.
