BEIJING – According to industry reports, China’s e-commerce logistics experienced modest growth in March due to improved household consumption and logistics efficiency.
According to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, the e-commerce logistics index (ELI) was 110.2 in March, up 1.2 percentage points from a month ago.
The total business volume, rural business volume, logistics timeliness, order fulfillment rate, customer satisfaction, cost and sub-index of industry employees increased from last month, while the inventory turnover rate and actual load rate of trucks decreased. .
The total turnover index reached 126.5 in March, up 0.6 percentage points from a month ago, indicating that logistics service demand grew steadily, with the highest growth rate in the central region, 4.2 points a month ago.
Logistics timeliness, order fulfillment rate and customer satisfaction index increased by 1.6, 2.3 and 3.1 respectively.
The inventory turnover index was 102.1, down 2.1 points from the previous month, but it was roughly the same as last March.
Analysts of the Federation attributed the modest decline in inventory replenishment after the Spring Festival to the preparations for the late peak season promotions.
According to the report, the actual load factor index of freight vehicles decreased from a month ago, but it is still 3 percentage points higher than the same period last year.
These data show that logistics efficiency remains at a good level.
The industry employee index was 102.6, up 2.3 points from a month ago, but remained at a low level of around 100 for three consecutive months, indicating a shortage of human resources.
Wang Wei, director of the Market Economy Research Institute of the Development Research Center of the State Council, attributed the modest growth of e-commerce logistics to increased household consumption and promotion activities for women’s festivals.
However, continued high costs and labor shortages will limit the timeliness of logistics, order fulfillment and customer satisfaction performance, Wang said.
