Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-04-30 09:03Core Insights - The express delivery industry in China has shown significant growth in 2024, with major companies achieving profitability for the first time, driven by e-commerce returns and automation technologies [2][6][4]. Industry Overview - The total express delivery volume and revenue in 2024 reached 1.745 billion packages and 1.4 trillion yuan, marking year-on-year growth of 21% and 13% respectively [2]. - The market structure is becoming more balanced, with the share of express delivery volume and revenue in eastern regions declining while central and western regions are increasing [2]. Company Performance - Major express companies reported daily package volumes increasing from 40-70 million in 2022 to 60-90 million in 2024 [2]. - SF Express achieved a revenue of 284.42 billion yuan with a net profit of 10.17 billion yuan, marking a 23.51% increase in net profit [3][6]. - JD Logistics reported a remarkable net profit growth of 507.2% to 7.088 billion yuan [3][6]. - Yunda and YTO Express experienced a decline in net profit due to intense price competition [2]. Growth Drivers - The rise in e-commerce return rates has significantly contributed to the growth of reverse logistics, with companies like Jitu Express reporting an 80% year-on-year increase in reverse and scattered orders [4][5]. - Companies are focusing on enhancing their reverse logistics capabilities and optimizing revenue structures through scattered order business [4][5]. Automation and Workforce Changes - The industry is increasingly adopting automation technologies such as drones and smart sorting systems, leading to improved operational efficiency [2][9]. - Several companies, including SF Express and Yunda, have reduced their workforce while increasing employee salaries, indicating a shift towards technology-driven operations [9][10]. Market Competition - Despite the overall growth, competition remains fierce, particularly in pricing, which has affected profit margins for some companies [7][6]. - The market share of leading companies is shifting, with Zhongtong maintaining the top position but with narrowing gaps to YTO Express [4][6].