Logistics Facts and eCommerce Stats Everyone Should Know

Logistics facts

Did you know the biggest ship in the world could easily transport the Eiffel tower? It’s true, and some of the more practical logistics facts are just as intriguing. The logistics industry is huge, and life as we know it wouldn’t exist without UPS, Amazon delivery drivers, and companies like yours truly. 

The shipping industry is changing, however, and it affects every person who relies on shipping to do business. (Plus, the consumers who shop from them!) Whether you’re a shipper or a shopper, these logistics and eCommerce stats are handy to keep in mind. 

Logistics Facts

Trucking Employment Stats

Logistics facts about truck drivers

  • There are over 1.5 million employed truck drivers in the U.S. as of 2022, making up about 61% of those employed in the trucking industry. 
  • 91% of truck drivers are employed full-time
  • The job growth rate for truck drivers is projected to be 6% from 2020-2030, on pace with most other U.S. occupations. About 231,000 job openings are predicted to pop up each year through 2030. 
  • The average hourly wage for drivers is $22.66 in the U.S., with a median salary of $47,130. 

We did say the trucking industry was huge. The 1.5 million driver estimate is actually on the low end, with some estimates landing as high as 3.5 million. As shipping demands continue to rise, the number of open positions has risen alongside it. 

While the average salary may not sound high, that’s the average nationwide. In areas like Los Angeles and New York City, it’s higher. Since most drivers work full-time, truck driving can be a rewarding, stable career– Especially if you like to see amazing views and blast tunes along the highway. 

Trucking Industry Stats

Blue big rig

  • U.S. trucks moved 10.93 billion tons of freight in 2021, earning $875.5 billion in revenue. That’s up from $732.3 billion in 2020. 2021 was the first year since 2018 that the industry saw growth, following a sharp dip due to COVID-19. 
  • There are about 1.9 million trucking carriers in the U.S.
  • 91.5% of trucking carriers in the U.S. have six trucks or less, and 97.4% operate with fewer than 20 trucks. 
  • 34% of freight trucking expenses go directly toward paying drivers  
  • About 70% of freight in the U.S. is transported by truck, with a total value of about $650 billion in manufactured goods. 

Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? That’s because it is. The logistics industry keeps the global economy, along with our daily lives, moving. Interestingly, getting started as a business owner in the trucking industry isn’t that hard. With a low cost of entry, launching a trucking business is the easy part. Staying in business once the expenses of repairs, insurance, maintenance, and rising driver wages add up is another story. 

That’s why so few large trucking companies exist, and why it pays off to do business with one. They’ve proven themselves against the competition and come out on top. (Not to toot our own horn or anything!) Additionally, shippers that delegate their shipping tasks to dedicated logistics companies save an average of 13% on shipping expenses each year.

Other factors that determine a company’s success are more about character than dollars and cents. 88 percent of shippers polled in the U.S. believe communication, flexibility, and openness are the most important qualities in a successful relationship with a logistics company.

eCommerce Stats

Woman making a purchase on her phone

  • eCommerce sales are projected to hit $7.4 trillion by 2025, up from $4.9 trillion in 2021.
  • There are somewhere between 12 and 24 million online stores. An exact count is impossible to determine because it’s constantly changing. Still, the number is only going to continue to rise. 
  • Free shipping is one of the main reasons people shop online. 53% of people site it as their top reason, followed by discounts, positive reviews, easy return policies, and next-day delivery. 
  • Consumer trends are shifting as younger generations mature. 38.4% of online shoppers in the U.S. are under the age of 35, while only 14.4% are over 65. Millennials are the most powerful group of online shoppers at present.
  • Global eCommerce sales rose by 27.6% in 2020, accounting for about 18% of total global retail sales. The spike began with the pandemic, but consumers don’t appear to be reverting back to their former in-person shopping habits.
  • Mobile eCommerce accounts for nearly half of eCommerce sales in the U.S., or 45% to be exact. 75% of consumers report shopping from their smartphones. 
  • Consumers are 62% less likely to make a purchase if they’ve previously had a bad experience on a company’s mobile site. 

An increasing number of consumers rely on online shopping over the brick-and-mortar experience. Any business owner who isn’t keeping up with eCommerce trends is now falling behind. Tech-savvy generations are beginning to dominate the market, so having a solid eCommerce strategy is practically a requirement if you want to make it big. 

Of all the logistics facts to keep in mind, this one is worth remembering. Just having a website isn’t enough. The user experience has to be effortless, intuitive, and easy to navigate. This applies both to desktop and mobile since most consumers shop on their smartphones. A bad first impression can be enough to put off a would-be customer for good. If you’ve been putting off that much-needed website update and social media page, consider this a sign to catch up. 

Last but not least…

The most important logistics fact to remember? It would only take three days for grocery stores to go out of stock if truck drivers all quit. Hospitals would run out of supplies, ATMs wouldn’t have any cash, and gas stations would run out of gas, too. Tap water would be problematic, too, as water treatment plants would run out of the chemicals needed to treat water. 

In other words, logistics is pretty important. Finding a reliable logistics company you love is one of the best business moves you can make. While you’re at it, don’t forget to thank your driver for all those long hours on the 405.

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