The Spanish logistics sector has managed a 240% increase in e-commerce shipment volume over five years
Previously published by Sara Montes e Freitas
UNO has just released its analysis ‘E-commerce Logistics in Spain 2025: Logistics Operators,’ according to which the Spanish logistics sector is capable of handling more than 3.3 million packages daily with virtually no incidents.
Logistics has become a key economic sector in Spain, already ranking as the country’s third-largest employer and capable of handling over 3.3 million packages daily with just 0.001% of incidents. Furthermore, according to UNO data, e-commerce shipments have risen from 538 million in 2019 to 1.303 billion in 2024, representing a 240% increase to which the sector has been able to adapt thanks to its strong dynamism and efficiency, as well as its technological development.
The trade association has just released its analysis, “E-commerce Logistics in Spain 2025: Logistics Operators,” according to which 94% of logistics companies already use technological solutions to optimize their operations, such as route optimization software, AI and data analytics, warehouse automation, and traceability platforms.
In the environmental sphere, 59% of companies consider sustainability to be a priority or are taking steps to move in this direction. However, 22% cited high implementation costs and operational difficulties as barriers to accelerating this transition, while 18% pointed to a lack of public incentives and insufficient infrastructure, 15% mentioned the impact on business profitability, and 5% cited a lack of suitable suppliers or solutions.
The main challenges currently facing urban freight distribution are, according to 31%, delivery costs, and for 24%, sustainability and emissions reduction, although 21% also point to delivery times and operational efficiency. Added to this are the customer experience and order tracking (12%), delivery retries (7%), and, to a lesser extent, route availability and optimization, at 5%.
In this regard, the analysis finds that consumers’ environmental commitment has not yet translated into a real willingness to bear additional costs, as only 1% of operators say their customers are willing to pay extra for sustainable shipping.
Regarding regulations, 40% of operators state that current regulations have forced them to implement solutions such as urban hubs and more sustainable fleets, and 30% report that these regulations have increased their costs. Meanwhile, 19% have had to modify routes and schedules to adapt to certain restrictions, and only 11% believe that regulations have not had a significant impact on their operations.
Another key challenge is returns, which have a significant impact on costs, carbon footprint, and efficiency. 47% of operators manage to keep returns below 5% through optimized processes designed to minimize costs, and 41% report rates between 5% and 10%, but 12% still record rates between 10% and 20%.
Regarding alternative delivery and distribution solutions, lockers and convenience pickup points are already used by 59% of companies in the sector, compared to 41% that have not yet integrated them, though they are considering doing so. In the case of urban hubs, only 29% currently use them, compared to a majority that continues to explore their viability or operates with traditional distribution centers.
Finally, the report indicates that the KPIs most valued by customers are overall service quality (38%) and on-time delivery (30%), followed by first-delivery success rate (21%), shipping costs (8%), and returns efficiency (3%).
ABOUT UNO logistics operators, parcel delivery companies, national and international couriers, transportation, warehousing, distribution, final packaging, air freight, urban goods distribution, logistics departments of manufacturers and distributors, and, ultimately, any player that values transportation and logistics as a key element in its business strategy.
It has more than 350 members committed to improving their competitiveness within a framework of legal certainty and free competition.
Its members include the sector’s leading national and international companies, which hold a significant market share in terms of total revenue, shipment volume, and human capital. Alongside these, there are small and medium-sized enterprises that are growing alongside UNO, building their presence and gaining weight and relevance in the market.
