Evri delivered record 730m parels in one year amid boom in 'pre-loved fashion'

Parcel delivery giant Evri has reported a "record year" for deliveries, with profits soaring as the boom in secondhand online shopping continues.

The company delivered 730 million parcels in the year ending February 29, marking a one-sixth increase from the previous year. Chief executive Martijn de Lange attributed the success to a surge in consumers flocking to online marketplaces and "pre-loved fashion" sites, which are seen as both affordable and sustainable options that have "reshaped shopping habits".

De Lange believes is perfectly positioned to capitalize on these emerging consumer trends. With an investment of £32m in customer service improvements, the company has significantly increased its delivery numbers. Additionally, it announced plans over the summer to expand its workforce by hiring 8,000 more couriers and 1,000 warehouse staff, boosting its courier team to a total of 28,000.

Looking ahead, Evri is set to nearly double its spending on operational enhancements in the current financial year ending February 2025, aiming to become a "billion-parcel-a-year business" within the next five years. These strategic moves have paid off, with the company's profits hitting £119m for the financial year, more than doubling from £51m the year before.

In July, Evri was acquired by Apollo Global Management, a New York-based investment giant, for £2.7bn from its former owner, private equity firm Advent International. Apollo Partner Alex van Hoek commented: "Evri has an innovative model, great and purpose-built infrastructure for reliable, lower-emissions delivery in the fast growing e-commerce market."

The takeover buzz continues as Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distribution Services, faces a pending private acquisition by Czech tycoon Daniel Kretinsky. This deal is currently under Government scrutiny due to potential national security implications.

Moreover, Evri boasts collaborations with online shopping havens such as Etsy and Vinted, along with heavyweight high street retailers like and John Lewis. The company also said it had secured "strategic partnership" agreements with household names including Amazon Prime, the Post Office, and the Clubcard over the past twelve months.