Study of 20M Parcels from ePost Global Shows Multi-Carrier Networks Emerging as the New Standard for Speed, Flexibility, and Risk Control

U.S. retailers and e-commerce organizations are abandoning decades-old single-carrier loyalty programs in favor of multi-carrier strategies that deliver superior performance across domestic and international markets. This is according to a new 12-month analysis of more than 20 million parcels by ePost Global revealing retailers using multi-carrier networks achieve faster transit times, more predictable costs, and greater resilience during disruptions than those tied to exclusive postal and single-carrier arrangements.

The findings come as retailers navigate one of the most turbulent logistics environments in years. The suspension of the de minimis exemption has reshaped cross-border e-commerce costs. Trade policy uncertainty and shifting customs regulations add further unpredictability. Meanwhile, labor disputes across ports, parcel and post networks, and distribution hubs threaten reliability at critical points in the supply chain. In this climate, retailers are finding that relying on a single provider is no longer a viable strategy.

In fact, multi-carrier networks demonstrated clear performance advantages across multiple regions:

• Europe: Multi-carrier approaches delivered parcels 37% faster to France (4 days vs. 6) and 24% faster to Germany, underscoring the speed advantage over postal-only and single-carrier contracts.
• North America: In U.S. - Canada shipping lanes, multi-carrier models outperformed postal-only and single-carrier approaches, maintaining service during labor disruptions and winter weather bottlenecks.
• UK & Australia: Multi-carrier networks consistently produced lower average parcel rates compared to the largest integrators, giving retailers better cost control on cross-border shipments.
• Domestic U.S.: Regional carriers excelled in rural areas, while nationals performed better in urban centers. Multi-carrier routing automatically leveraged these strengths, reducing exceptions and creating more consistent delivery outcomes.

Beyond speed and coverage, the data revealed significant financial benefits:

• Cost stability: Multi-carrier systems reduced exposure to hidden accessorial fees, including fuel surcharges, address corrections, and residential delivery costs.
• Exception reduction: By distributing volume across multiple providers, retailers lowered exception rates and avoided customer service surges tied to missed SLAs.
• Capacity flexibility: When single carriers imposed pickup caps or denied volumes, multi-carrier networks absorbed demand without disruption.

"Multi-carrier strategies transform shipping from a fixed cost center into a performance optimization tool," said Kelly Martinez, President and Co-Founder of ePost Global. "Retailers and e-commerce organizations can no longer afford the operational blind spots that come with single-carrier dependency, especially when customer expectations for delivery speed and reliability continue rising."

According to logistics industry expert Nate Skiver, Founder of LPF Spend Management, "There is no such thing as a 'safe' single carrier. Rate hikes and capacity constraints can hit anyone, anytime. Smart brands are spreading their risk instead of crossing their fingers and hoping their carrier doesn't let them down."

The shift represents a fundamental transformation in retail logistics strategy. As supply chain disruptions become more frequent and customer expectations continue rising, the data makes clear that multi-carrier approaches have evolved from operational optimization to competitive necessity. Retailers who delay this transition risk falling further behind competitors already gaining measurable advantages in speed, cost control, and operational resilience.

The complete Multi-Carrier Analysis with detailed strategic recommendations is available here.

Analysis Methodology

The data reflects over 20 million customer shipment patterns tracked by ePost Global in 2024 and includes consolidated information across product categories, shipment values, and customs classifications. Categories were assessed for consolidated information across product categories, shipment values, and customs classifications.

About ePost Global

ePost Global delivers cost-effective, global delivery solutions through strategically located processing centers throughout the United States. By combining technology and global logistics expertise, ePost Global optimizes delivery workflows, enhances visibility for all phases of delivery, and simplifies international shipping complexity.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251007658368/en/