Reverse Logistics Market

Global Reverse Logistics Market Size (2024 to 2032)

The global reverse logistics market was valued at USD 718.05 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 762.71 billion in 2024 from USD 1235.98 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.22% from 2024 to 2032.

Reverse logistics is a process that consists return, reuse, recycling, or disposal of products and materials. Reverse logistics requires planning, coordination, and control of the movement of goods from their point of use or consumption to their point of disposal or reuse. Various parties are involved in reverse logistics, such as customers, manufacturers, retailers, and logistics service providers. Companies have various reasons to engage with reverse logistics, such as returning defective products, handling recalls, or disposing of excess inventory. In addition, reverses logistics further aid companies in reducing the environmental impact by recycling or repurposing materials. This can also improve customer satisfaction by providing easy product return options.

MARKET DRIVERS

The growing usage of e-commerce platforms to purchase products and services by people is propelling the need for reverse logistics and resulting in market growth. The product return rate is usually high when ordered using online platforms because the customers can purchase the products several times and return the products that did not reach their expectations. Handling the returns is much more challenging for e-commerce companies as the number of orders will be high. Governments worldwide are implementing regulations and policies to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices, such as recycling and reuse, which is expected to boost the growth rate of the reverse logistics market. Such regulations encourage companies to invest funds to establish reverse logistics and adopt sustainable business practices such as recycling and reuse to reduce waste and protect the environment.  

The growing adoption of reverse logistics from the automotive industry further propels market growth. The automotive industry is one of the biggest users of reverse logistics services. DHL Supply Chain, Genco, Newgistics, and EnviroSolutions are some notable companies in filling the gap of reverse logistics in the automotive industry. The automotive industry companies must have effective reverse logistics processes to handle the products' repair, return, refurbishment, and recycling in the most cost-effective manner. During the forecast period, the growing manufacturing of vehicles and increasing volume of e-commerce orders about vehicle components are expected to increase the need for reverse logistics and boost the overall market growth.

In addition, increasing awareness levels regarding the advantages of reverse logistics promote the market’s growth rate. Reverse logistics help companies in various ways, such as cost savings, improved customer satisfaction, environmental benefits, risk management, increased efficiency, and enhanced reputation.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

The complex regulatory environment is one of the major restraints hampering the growth of the global reverse logistics market. Reverse logistics comply with various regulations depending on the countries and the type of goods returned. The insufficient infrastructure in some of the geographies across the world is anticipated to showcase a negative impact on market growth. In addition, the complexities associated with tracking the returned goods are expected to inhibit market growth. Tracking becomes complex when multiple parties are involved and in cases where the product is shipped internationally.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

The e-commerce industry is anticipated to reach greater heights in the coming days owing to the growing penetration of the internet and the increasing number of smartphone users, which are anticipated to offer lucrative growth opportunities to the market participants of the reverse logistics market. When the orderings through online platforms increase, the probability of goods also returning increases, which is expected to reflect the growing demand for reverse logistics; the market participants expanding their operations to emerging economies can create additional growth possibilities. The boom is in the -commerce industry in developing countries, where the scope for reverse logistics is enormous. Furthermore, the growing adoption of technological advancements such as data analytics and automation is expected to provide scope to grow further to the market participants. Data analytics and automation assist in streamlining and optimizing their reverse logistics operations.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENT ANALYSIS

Global Reverse Logistics Market Analysis By End-user

Based on the end-user, the e-commerce segment captured more than 50% of the global market share in 2021. The e-commerce segment is also estimated to showcase the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the e-commerce segment is primarily driven by the growing usage of online platforms and the growing preference for online shopping. In addition, reverse logistics plays a significant role in the e-commerce industry as companies have to deal with a large volume of returned goods, creating space for reverse logistics.

On the other hand, the automotive segment is predicted to showcase a healthy CAGR during the forecast period.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Geographically, the APAC region was the largest regional market worldwide and held 50% of the global market share in 2021. Therefore, the APAC region is also predicted to showcase the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The online shopping trend from the countries of the APAC region has risen significantly in recent times, which resulted in the growing volume of returned goods and is one of the major factors propelling the market growth in this region. In addition, the increasing number of companies selling their products online and the growing demand for reverse logistics from the automotive industry in this region are anticipated to aid the regional market growth during the forecast period.

The Middle East and Africa are other potential regional markets for reverse logistics. The growing investments to promote the e-commerce industry in this region are anticipated to drive the need for reverse logistics.

On the other hand, regions such as Europe, North America, and Latin America are anticipated to have a healthy CAGR during the forecast period. The volume of returns from the e-commerce platforms is growing considerably across the European region, which is anticipated to boost the market’s growth rate in Europe. Furthermore, due to numerous market participants, the market in the North American region is expected to progress considerably during the forecast period.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL REVERSE LOGISTICS MARKET

United Parcel Service, Inc. Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd., RLG Systems AG, FedEx Corporation, Kintetsu World Express, Inc., Core Logistic Private Limited, Safexpress Pvt. Ltd., DB SCHENKER, Deutsche Post AG

The reverse logistics market is competitive, with many companies offering various services. In addition, the market is equipped with numerous regional companies that provide reverse logistic services to specific markets and industries.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE GLOBAL REVERSE LOGISTICS MARKET

• XPO Logistics, Inc., a company that offers transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions to customers worldwide, announced their launch of an automation solution in France in May 2021. The solution is expected to aid France's fashion e-commerce industry with high-volume reverse logistics.
• In May 2021, MG Motor India and Attero partnered, and Attero agreed to offer reverse logistics services to MG Motor India, such as refurbishing and recycling solutions for EV batteries.

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL REVERSE LOGISTICS MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global reverse logistics market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on end user and region.

By End-user

• E-commerce
• Retail
• Automotive
• Consumer Electronics
• Pharmaceutical

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa