GITNUXREPORT 2026

Distribution Industry Statistics

The distribution industry is a massive and growing global economic force worth trillions.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

E-commerce drives 40% of logistics growth.

Statistic 2

U.S. online sales logistics cost 15% of revenue.

Statistic 3

Global B2C e-commerce logistics $500 billion 2023.

Statistic 4

Amazon same-day delivery 70% of orders.

Statistic 5

China e-commerce parcel volume 100 billion/year.

Statistic 6

E-commerce fulfillment centers grew 20% 2023.

Statistic 7

Returns rate online shopping 30% average.

Statistic 8

EU e-commerce cross-border 25% of sales.

Statistic 9

Shopify merchants 1.7 million, logistics key.

Statistic 10

Last-mile e-commerce cost $10 per package U.S.

Statistic 11

India e-commerce logistics market $5 billion 2023.

Statistic 12

50% consumers expect 2-day delivery.

Statistic 13

Walmart+ delivery boosts 15% sales.

Statistic 14

Global dark stores for e-commerce 50,000.

Statistic 15

E-commerce drives 30% warehouse demand.

Statistic 16

UK online grocery delivery 15% market share.

Statistic 17

Click-and-collect 40% of e-retail orders.

Statistic 18

Brazil e-commerce logistics growth 25% YoY.

Statistic 19

Personalization reduces returns 20%.

Statistic 20

Global e-commerce penetration 25% retail 2023.

Statistic 21

Australia online sales logistics $10 billion.

Statistic 22

Omnichannel logistics complexity up 35%.

Statistic 23

60% millennials prefer free shipping.

Statistic 24

Canada e-fulfillment centers doubled 2020-2023.

Statistic 25

Voice commerce logistics emerging 5% growth.

Statistic 26

Subscription box logistics $20 billion market.

Statistic 27

Hyperlocal delivery 2-hour norm 40% orders.

Statistic 28

The U.S. distribution industry employs 6.2 million people as of 2023.

Statistic 29

Global logistics workforce estimated at 50 million in 2022.

Statistic 30

Wholesale trade jobs in U.S. grew 1.2% YoY in 2023.

Statistic 31

12% of EU workforce in transport and logistics sector.

Statistic 32

China logistics employment 80 million in 2022.

Statistic 33

U.S. truck transportation employs 1.8 million drivers.

Statistic 34

Women represent 25% of logistics workforce globally.

Statistic 35

India distribution sector jobs 45 million in 2023.

Statistic 36

Average logistics salary in U.S. $55,000 annually.

Statistic 37

3.5 million warehouse workers in U.S. 2023.

Statistic 38

UK logistics employment 2.1 million in 2022.

Statistic 39

Driver shortage in U.S. 80,000 in 2023.

Statistic 40

Brazil wholesale employment 4 million.

Statistic 41

Global supply chain jobs growth 4% projected 2024.

Statistic 42

Australia transport logistics workers 1 million.

Statistic 43

Turnover rate in warehousing 40% annually U.S.

Statistic 44

Japan distribution employment 8 million.

Statistic 45

28% logistics workers aged over 55 in EU.

Statistic 46

Canada wholesale jobs 800,000 in 2023.

Statistic 47

Mexico logistics workforce 2.5 million.

Statistic 48

U.S. forklift operators 350,000 employed.

Statistic 49

South Korea distribution jobs 1.2 million.

Statistic 50

Average tenure logistics manager 5.2 years.

Statistic 51

Germany logistics employment 3.2 million.

Statistic 52

15% growth in gig economy delivery jobs 2023.

Statistic 53

France wholesale workers 1.5 million.

Statistic 54

Global port workers 1.5 million.

Statistic 55

U.S. inventory managers 150,000 jobs.

Statistic 56

Average age truck driver U.S. 46 years.

Statistic 57

70% of U.S. freight moved by trucks.

Statistic 58

Global container port traffic 800 million TEU in 2022.

Statistic 59

Average U.S. warehouse utilization 85% in 2023.

Statistic 60

On-time delivery rate global average 72%.

Statistic 61

U.S. road freight volume 12 billion tons-miles annually.

Statistic 62

Global air cargo volume 62 million metric tons 2022.

Statistic 63

Average delivery time last-mile U.S. 3.5 days.

Statistic 64

Rail freight share in Europe 18% of total.

Statistic 65

Global inventory turnover ratio average 5.5x.

Statistic 66

U.S. port dwell time average 3.2 days 2023.

Statistic 67

China high-speed rail freight 10% growth 2023.

Statistic 68

Average truckload utilization 65% in U.S.

Statistic 69

Global pipeline transport 15% of oil volume.

Statistic 70

Warehouse automation rate 30% in developed markets.

Statistic 71

U.K. parcel volumes 2.7 billion annually.

Statistic 72

Fill rate average 92% in distribution centers.

Statistic 73

India road freight 70% of total logistics.

Statistic 74

Global intermodal freight 25 billion tons-km.

Statistic 75

Average order cycle time 5 days global.

Statistic 76

Brazil port throughput 1.2 billion tons 2022.

Statistic 77

Perfect order rate 85% top performers.

Statistic 78

Australia freight task 500 billion tonne-km.

Statistic 79

Lead time variability 20% in supply chains.

Statistic 80

U.S. drone delivery trials cover 10% urban areas.

Statistic 81

Global reefer container usage 25 million TEU.

Statistic 82

Stockout rate average 8% globally.

Statistic 83

Japan just-in-time delivery 95% compliance.

Statistic 84

The global logistics market size was valued at USD 9.83 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 85

The U.S. wholesale trade sector generated $17.2 trillion in sales in 2022.

Statistic 86

Global distribution services market expected to reach $14.5 trillion by 2030 at 5.6% CAGR.

Statistic 87

Europe's wholesale and distribution market revenue hit €6.5 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 88

Asia-Pacific logistics market grew 6.2% YoY in 2023.

Statistic 89

U.S. merchant wholesalers sales reached $8.9 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 90

Global third-party logistics (3PL) market size was $1.02 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 91

China's distribution industry contributed 12% to GDP in 2022.

Statistic 92

North American freight distribution market valued at $1.4 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 93

Global supply chain management market projected to grow to $45.6 billion by 2026.

Statistic 94

Indian wholesale market size estimated at $1.2 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 95

U.K. wholesale sector turnover £1.1 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 96

Latin America logistics market to reach $300 billion by 2028.

Statistic 97

Global cold chain logistics market size $285 billion in 2023.

Statistic 98

Australian distribution services revenue AUD 250 billion in 2022.

Statistic 99

Middle East logistics market grew 7.1% in 2023 to $150 billion.

Statistic 100

U.S. e-commerce logistics spending $200 billion in 2023.

Statistic 101

Global warehousing market valued at $450 billion in 2023.

Statistic 102

Brazil wholesale distribution sales BRL 2.5 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 103

Japan logistics market size ¥50 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 104

Global last-mile delivery market $100 billion in 2023.

Statistic 105

South Africa distribution industry revenue $40 billion in 2022.

Statistic 106

Canada wholesale trade sales CAD 1.2 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 107

Global reverse logistics market $650 billion in 2023.

Statistic 108

Germany wholesale turnover €2.1 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 109

Southeast Asia logistics market $250 billion in 2023.

Statistic 110

U.S. distribution center construction investment $25 billion in 2023.

Statistic 111

World freight transport volume 11.5 billion tons in 2022.

Statistic 112

France wholesale market revenue €800 billion in 2022.

Statistic 113

Global multimodal logistics market $400 billion in 2023.

Statistic 114

Logistics emissions from e-commerce up 20%.

Statistic 115

30% fleets electric by 2030 target EU.

Statistic 116

Global green logistics market $150 billion 2023.

Statistic 117

Carbon footprint trucking 25% of sector emissions.

Statistic 118

Recycled packaging in logistics 40% by 2025.

Statistic 119

Solar-powered warehouses 15% in U.S. 2023.

Statistic 120

Biofuel adoption in shipping 5% global fleet.

Statistic 121

Zero-emission trucks 2% of sales 2023.

Statistic 122

Circular supply chains 20% cost savings.

Statistic 123

Water usage in logistics reduced 15% avg.

Statistic 124

ESG reporting 80% large distributors.

Statistic 125

Drone delivery cuts emissions 80% vs truck.

Statistic 126

Sustainable sourcing 60% consumer demand.

Statistic 127

Warehouse energy efficiency up 25% LED.

Statistic 128

Global Scope 3 emissions logistics 10 GtCO2.

Statistic 129

EV charging stations logistics hubs 50%.

Statistic 130

Reverse logistics recycling rate 50%.

Statistic 131

Net-zero pledges 70% top logistics firms.

Statistic 132

Hydrogen fuel trials in trucking 10 sites.

Statistic 133

Packaging waste reduction 30% target 2030.

Statistic 134

Carbon-neutral shipping 5% market share.

Statistic 135

Biodiversity impact logistics routes minimized 20%.

Statistic 136

Green bonds logistics $10 billion issued 2023.

Statistic 137

Telemetry reduces fuel 10% in fleets.

Statistic 138

Sustainable aviation fuel 1% usage 2023.

Statistic 139

Urban consolidation centers cut traffic 15%.

Statistic 140

Lifecycle emissions analysis 90% firms.

Statistic 141

45% logistics firms AI for route optimization.

Statistic 142

Blockchain pilots in supply chain 25%.

Statistic 143

IoT sensors in trucks 60% fleets.

Statistic 144

RPA automates 40% warehouse tasks.

Statistic 145

5G coverage logistics hubs 70%.

Statistic 146

Predictive analytics accuracy 90% stockouts.

Statistic 147

Autonomous vehicles trials 500 trucks.

Statistic 148

Cloud SCM adoption 75% enterprises.

Statistic 149

AR/VR training 30% workforce.

Statistic 150

Digital twins warehouses 20% large ops.

Statistic 151

Big data analytics ROI 5:1 logistics.

Statistic 152

35% robots in fulfillment centers.

Statistic 153

API integrations 80% 3PL providers.

Statistic 154

Machine learning demand forecasting 85% accuracy.

Statistic 155

Edge computing latency reduced 50ms.

Statistic 156

Cybersecurity incidents 25% up YoY.

Statistic 157

Voice picking systems 25% faster.

Statistic 158

4PL digital platforms 40% market.

Statistic 159

Quantum computing pilots logistics 5 firms.

Statistic 160

Metaverse logistics training 10% adoption.

Statistic 161

Hyperautomation savings 30% ops costs.

1/161

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Imagine a colossal, interconnected system responsible for delivering nearly everything you touch—this is the global distribution industry, a behemoth valued at over $9 trillion and directly employing tens of millions worldwide.

Key Takeaways

The global logistics market size was valued at USD 9.83 trillion in 2023.
The U.S. wholesale trade sector generated $17.2 trillion in sales in 2022.
Global distribution services market expected to reach $14.5 trillion by 2030 at 5.6% CAGR.
The U.S. distribution industry employs 6.2 million people as of 2023.
Global logistics workforce estimated at 50 million in 2022.
Wholesale trade jobs in U.S. grew 1.2% YoY in 2023.
70% of U.S. freight moved by trucks.
Global container port traffic 800 million TEU in 2022.
Average U.S. warehouse utilization 85% in 2023.
E-commerce drives 40% of logistics growth.
U.S. online sales logistics cost 15% of revenue.
Global B2C e-commerce logistics $500 billion 2023.
Logistics emissions from e-commerce up 20%.
30% fleets electric by 2030 target EU.
Global green logistics market $150 billion 2023.

The distribution industry is a massive and growing global economic force worth trillions.

E-commerce Impact

E-commerce drives 40% of logistics growth.
U.S. online sales logistics cost 15% of revenue.
Global B2C e-commerce logistics $500 billion 2023.
Amazon same-day delivery 70% of orders.
China e-commerce parcel volume 100 billion/year.
E-commerce fulfillment centers grew 20% 2023.
Returns rate online shopping 30% average.
EU e-commerce cross-border 25% of sales.
Shopify merchants 1.7 million, logistics key.
Last-mile e-commerce cost $10 per package U.S.
India e-commerce logistics market $5 billion 2023.
50% consumers expect 2-day delivery.
Walmart+ delivery boosts 15% sales.
Global dark stores for e-commerce 50,000.
E-commerce drives 30% warehouse demand.
UK online grocery delivery 15% market share.
Click-and-collect 40% of e-retail orders.
Brazil e-commerce logistics growth 25% YoY.
Personalization reduces returns 20%.
Global e-commerce penetration 25% retail 2023.
Australia online sales logistics $10 billion.
Omnichannel logistics complexity up 35%.
60% millennials prefer free shipping.
Canada e-fulfillment centers doubled 2020-2023.
Voice commerce logistics emerging 5% growth.
Subscription box logistics $20 billion market.
Hyperlocal delivery 2-hour norm 40% orders.

E-commerce Impact Interpretation

While e-commerce's explosive growth feeds a logistics beast that is increasingly expensive and complex, the industry is frantically evolving—through dark stores, hyperlocal hubs, and warehouse armies—to satisfy our insatiable demand for speed and convenience, all while grappling with a mountain of returns.

Employment & Workforce

The U.S. distribution industry employs 6.2 million people as of 2023.
Global logistics workforce estimated at 50 million in 2022.
Wholesale trade jobs in U.S. grew 1.2% YoY in 2023.
12% of EU workforce in transport and logistics sector.
China logistics employment 80 million in 2022.
U.S. truck transportation employs 1.8 million drivers.
Women represent 25% of logistics workforce globally.
India distribution sector jobs 45 million in 2023.
Average logistics salary in U.S. $55,000 annually.
3.5 million warehouse workers in U.S. 2023.
UK logistics employment 2.1 million in 2022.
Driver shortage in U.S. 80,000 in 2023.
Brazil wholesale employment 4 million.
Global supply chain jobs growth 4% projected 2024.
Australia transport logistics workers 1 million.
Turnover rate in warehousing 40% annually U.S.
Japan distribution employment 8 million.
28% logistics workers aged over 55 in EU.
Canada wholesale jobs 800,000 in 2023.
Mexico logistics workforce 2.5 million.
U.S. forklift operators 350,000 employed.
South Korea distribution jobs 1.2 million.
Average tenure logistics manager 5.2 years.
Germany logistics employment 3.2 million.
15% growth in gig economy delivery jobs 2023.
France wholesale workers 1.5 million.
Global port workers 1.5 million.
U.S. inventory managers 150,000 jobs.
Average age truck driver U.S. 46 years.

Employment & Workforce Interpretation

The sheer scale of the global logistics machine—employing tens of millions, moving trillions in goods, yet perpetually wrestling with shortages and turnover—reveals a world economy literally and figuratively being kept afloat by a vast, often undervalued, and aging workforce.

Logistics & Operations

70% of U.S. freight moved by trucks.
Global container port traffic 800 million TEU in 2022.
Average U.S. warehouse utilization 85% in 2023.
On-time delivery rate global average 72%.
U.S. road freight volume 12 billion tons-miles annually.
Global air cargo volume 62 million metric tons 2022.
Average delivery time last-mile U.S. 3.5 days.
Rail freight share in Europe 18% of total.
Global inventory turnover ratio average 5.5x.
U.S. port dwell time average 3.2 days 2023.
China high-speed rail freight 10% growth 2023.
Average truckload utilization 65% in U.S.
Global pipeline transport 15% of oil volume.
Warehouse automation rate 30% in developed markets.
U.K. parcel volumes 2.7 billion annually.
Fill rate average 92% in distribution centers.
India road freight 70% of total logistics.
Global intermodal freight 25 billion tons-km.
Average order cycle time 5 days global.
Brazil port throughput 1.2 billion tons 2022.
Perfect order rate 85% top performers.
Australia freight task 500 billion tonne-km.
Lead time variability 20% in supply chains.
U.S. drone delivery trials cover 10% urban areas.
Global reefer container usage 25 million TEU.
Stockout rate average 8% globally.
Japan just-in-time delivery 95% compliance.

Logistics & Operations Interpretation

This collection of stats reveals a logistics world that is a marvel of modern engineering yet still frustratingly human, where our just-in-time dreams are perpetually stuck in 3.2-days-in-port traffic.

Market Size & Growth

The global logistics market size was valued at USD 9.83 trillion in 2023.
The U.S. wholesale trade sector generated $17.2 trillion in sales in 2022.
Global distribution services market expected to reach $14.5 trillion by 2030 at 5.6% CAGR.
Europe's wholesale and distribution market revenue hit €6.5 trillion in 2022.
Asia-Pacific logistics market grew 6.2% YoY in 2023.
U.S. merchant wholesalers sales reached $8.9 trillion in 2023.
Global third-party logistics (3PL) market size was $1.02 trillion in 2022.
China's distribution industry contributed 12% to GDP in 2022.
North American freight distribution market valued at $1.4 trillion in 2023.
Global supply chain management market projected to grow to $45.6 billion by 2026.
Indian wholesale market size estimated at $1.2 trillion in 2023.
U.K. wholesale sector turnover £1.1 trillion in 2022.
Latin America logistics market to reach $300 billion by 2028.
Global cold chain logistics market size $285 billion in 2023.
Australian distribution services revenue AUD 250 billion in 2022.
Middle East logistics market grew 7.1% in 2023 to $150 billion.
U.S. e-commerce logistics spending $200 billion in 2023.
Global warehousing market valued at $450 billion in 2023.
Brazil wholesale distribution sales BRL 2.5 trillion in 2022.
Japan logistics market size ¥50 trillion in 2023.
Global last-mile delivery market $100 billion in 2023.
South Africa distribution industry revenue $40 billion in 2022.
Canada wholesale trade sales CAD 1.2 trillion in 2023.
Global reverse logistics market $650 billion in 2023.
Germany wholesale turnover €2.1 trillion in 2022.
Southeast Asia logistics market $250 billion in 2023.
U.S. distribution center construction investment $25 billion in 2023.
World freight transport volume 11.5 billion tons in 2022.
France wholesale market revenue €800 billion in 2022.
Global multimodal logistics market $400 billion in 2023.

Market Size & Growth Interpretation

The sheer scale of these numbers makes it clear that the global economy isn't just built on making things, but on the monumental, multi-trillion-dollar task of moving them from point A to point B, proving that the world truly runs on logistics.

Sustainability & Trends

Logistics emissions from e-commerce up 20%.
30% fleets electric by 2030 target EU.
Global green logistics market $150 billion 2023.
Carbon footprint trucking 25% of sector emissions.
Recycled packaging in logistics 40% by 2025.
Solar-powered warehouses 15% in U.S. 2023.
Biofuel adoption in shipping 5% global fleet.
Zero-emission trucks 2% of sales 2023.
Circular supply chains 20% cost savings.
Water usage in logistics reduced 15% avg.
ESG reporting 80% large distributors.
Drone delivery cuts emissions 80% vs truck.
Sustainable sourcing 60% consumer demand.
Warehouse energy efficiency up 25% LED.
Global Scope 3 emissions logistics 10 GtCO2.
EV charging stations logistics hubs 50%.
Reverse logistics recycling rate 50%.
Net-zero pledges 70% top logistics firms.
Hydrogen fuel trials in trucking 10 sites.
Packaging waste reduction 30% target 2030.
Carbon-neutral shipping 5% market share.
Biodiversity impact logistics routes minimized 20%.
Green bonds logistics $10 billion issued 2023.
Telemetry reduces fuel 10% in fleets.
Sustainable aviation fuel 1% usage 2023.
Urban consolidation centers cut traffic 15%.
Lifecycle emissions analysis 90% firms.

Sustainability & Trends Interpretation

While we proudly chart our course with a flotilla of future-minded targets, the stark reality is we’re still stubbornly chugging along on the fumes of good intentions, as e-commerce emissions climb despite a growing arsenal of green solutions.

Technological Adoption

45% logistics firms AI for route optimization.
Blockchain pilots in supply chain 25%.
IoT sensors in trucks 60% fleets.
RPA automates 40% warehouse tasks.
5G coverage logistics hubs 70%.
Predictive analytics accuracy 90% stockouts.
Autonomous vehicles trials 500 trucks.
Cloud SCM adoption 75% enterprises.
AR/VR training 30% workforce.
Digital twins warehouses 20% large ops.
Big data analytics ROI 5:1 logistics.
35% robots in fulfillment centers.
API integrations 80% 3PL providers.
Machine learning demand forecasting 85% accuracy.
Edge computing latency reduced 50ms.
Cybersecurity incidents 25% up YoY.
Voice picking systems 25% faster.
4PL digital platforms 40% market.
Quantum computing pilots logistics 5 firms.
Metaverse logistics training 10% adoption.
Hyperautomation savings 30% ops costs.

Technological Adoption Interpretation

While the distribution industry is impressively upgrading its toolkit—with 45% of logistics firms already using AI for route optimization and warehouses buzzing with 35% robot staff—this surge in connectivity and automation has unfortunately also made the sector a juicier target, resulting in a 25% increase in cybersecurity incidents.

Sources & References

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