3PL MARKET RESEARCH REPORT
3PL OFFERINGS
(83%) with ERP integration (73%), optimization (73%), and WMS/WES (72%) making up the rest of the top 5. Interestingly, sustainability/green logistics, which had seen a decline of 12 percentage points in the 2025 survey, seemed to regain its footing among providers, rising 6 points to 60% to be locked in a tie with ecommerce fulfillment for fourth in the special services category (see page 84) .
Logistics Services & Capabilities
97%
Inbound logistics
74%
Inventory management
70%
JIT
64% 64%
Cross-border management
Omnichannel logistics
60%
4PL, 5PL
52%
Global logistics
RISING REVENUES FOR MOST RESPONDENTS
51%
Vendor management
Shared services (co-locating, collaborative distribution, etc.) Cold chain Supply chain finance
Third-party logistics providers enjoyed healthy growth and financial returns, according to our respondents (see 3PL Financial Picture on page 84) . In their most recent measurement period, 84% say they experienced sales growth, including 62% saying their sales rose 10% or more. This is a sharp increase from one year ago when 70% enjoyed growth in sales, including just 47% seeing at least 10% growth. Profits are similarly strong, though are held back by increased costs in some areas as nearly 80% report profit growth, including 54% that topped 10%. This again reflects a marked improvement from 2025 when 69% surveyed had enjoyed an increase in profit, of which just 38% crossed the 10% mark. What’s more, sales and profit growth aligned closely with providers taking on more clients. Seventy-seven percent of respondents grew their customer bases during their most recent measurement period, including 54% of providers adding at least 10% more customers. One 3PL in the 10% or more growth in sales and profits categories says that what they called a market recovery had allowed their sales efforts from 2024 to come to fruition in 2025. Another 3PL that had seen similar growth says it expanded more services in the end-to-end supply chain continuum and added markets. “This includes the addition of parcel program management, enhanced transportation management, and a new, state-of-the-art facility,” they said. 3PLs agree that rising operational
44%
43%
32%
Warehousing Services & Capabilities
81%
Crossdocking
77%
Fulfillment
Value-added services (pick/ pack, subassembly, kitting)
74%
73%
Transloading
70%
Ecommerce
67%
DC management
58%
Vendor managed inventory
53%
Site selection
Transportation Services & Capabilities
93%
Truckload
89%
LTL
74%
Intermodal
70% 70%
Expedited
Final/last mile
64%
Dedicated contract carriage
59%
Small package
58%
Rail
51%
Air cargo
49% 48%
Bulk
White glove
46% 45%
Ocean
Equipment/drivers
17%
Fleet acquisition
82 Inbound Logistics • July 2026
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