How the “Awful April” Storm Missed the Transportation & Storage Sector
Last month got dubbed Awful April by the big money guys—think rising National Insurance (NI) contributions, a 6.7 % bump in the National Living Wage, and new tariffs on U.S. exports. With rising energy bills and council tax, most industries felt the heat. But guess what? The transportation & storage sector—think logistics, parcels, haulage, and warehousing—took a surprisingly brisk walk through the storm.
What the Numbers Say
- Labour cost impact: Only 16.1 % of firms felt the wage increase hurt their turnover. Manufacturers saw 26.3 % and retailers 22.1 %. Transportation was the quietest.
- Turnover changes: 11.6 % reported growth, a good sign. Manufacturers had 14.7 % and retailers 19.7 %. Fewer firms saw a dip: 19.8 % down versus 31.2 % for manufacturers and 25.4 % for retailers.
- Economic uncertainty: Only 18.5 % felt it. Manufacturers jumped to 33.6 % and retailers to 39.8 %.
- Future outlook (June): 61.7 % expect no change; just 9 % expect a decline. Manufacturers and retailers were less rosy at 51.1 % and 55 % respectively.
- Business rates concern: Just 1.8 % flagged it—a tiny fraction compared to manufacturers’ 2.5 % and retailers’ 8.6 %.
Why the Sector Stayed Cool
Despite new taxes and tariffs, the heavyweights of transportation kept their wheels turning. Parcelhero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks, notes that logistics firms often have built-in flexibility. They can shift routes, optimise loads, and, when the go‑go of the economy falters, they can still slide a parcel or two into a different box.
The Secret Sauce: Omnichannel Flexibility
Retailers with both online and brick‑and‑mortar presences have learned to spread risk. Parcelhero’s report, “2030: Death of the High Street,” betters the case: a strong omnichannel strategy means if the in‑store choreography gets hiccupped, the online hustle keeps the cash registers ticking.
Bottom Line
When April’s storms rolled in, the transport & storage sector slipped through the cracks like socks in a dryer. With relatively low labour stress, minimal winding figures, and a surprisingly optimistic view of the future, they escaped the “Awful April” headlines. At least for now—stay tuned for the next market update right on your device. Stay savvy, stay stocked!
