The global reverse-logistics market was valued at USD 823.21 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 3,183.94 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% over the 2025–2033 period. This rapid expansion is being driven by the global proliferation of e-commerce and the resulting surge in product returns and replacements.

Key Market Trends & Insights

  • In 2024, North America held a substantial revenue share of the reverse-logistics market, with the U.S. market in particular maintaining dominance. Among return types, the B2B returns and commercial-returns segment was the largest in 2024, accounting for approximately 35.1% of the market. On the service side, transportation services held the biggest share in 2024, while in terms of end-user industries, the retail & e-commerce segment was the leading category.
  • The U.S. market’s strong position is supported by high e-commerce transaction volume and growing consumer expectations for smooth returns. Technological tools such as automation, robotics and augmented reality are increasingly applied by e-commerce firms to boost efficiency and reach. Continuous growth in online shopping—fueled by benefits like convenience, shorter lead times, lower costs and wider product selection—is spurring demand for shipping and warehousing capabilities designed to handle returns. Automation supports routing return requests, generating packaging and labels, shortening waiting times for store returns, and enabling mail-return options. In addition, robotic process automation enhances transparency by updating customers during the return request lifecycle and helps limit fraud.
  • Within return-types, B2B/commercial returns have grown strongly as companies pursue sustainability and waste-reduction goals by managing returned products more efficiently. The repairable-returns segment is forecast to register robust growth during the outlook period: businesses increasingly prefer repairing and reissuing items rather than replacing them, thus reducing new-product manufacturing and supporting circular-economy models.
  • In service segments, transportation dominated in 2024 with a share of about 46.1%. The increasing volume of e-commerce returns means firms must rely on reliable transport networks to move returned goods from consumer to seller or manufacturer. Warehousing is also set to post strong growth: storage of returns, replacements, end-of-use or end-of-life products, and unsold merchandise has become more critical as online-shopping returns rise.
  • Looking at end-user industries, the retail & e-commerce segment dominated in 2024. The rise in online shopping—paired with increased return volumes—has put pressure on return-management systems. In the automotive sector, the forecast CAGR of 17.9% highlights importance of reverse logistics for recalls, emissions and EV-battery issues, as well as take-back responsibilities driven by regulatory and environmental concerns.
  • Regionally, North America held a significant revenue share in 2024, supported by extensive e-commerce activity, consumer demand for hassle-free returns and deployment of AI, IoT and blockchain to improve visibility, speed and cost-control. Europe is steadily growing, backed by regulatory momentum (such as EPR and WEEE directives) and strong recycling and re-manufacturing infrastructure. In Asia Pacific, the market is expected to grow at a 18.6% CAGR during the forecast period, powered by rising online shopping in India and China, youthful populations adopting fashion-and-apparel e-commerce and increasing returns. Japan and China are also gaining: Japan for its culture of recycling and high-quality standards, China for explosive e-commerce growth and high return rates from online shoppers.

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Market Size & Forecast

The market size reached USD 823.21 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3,183.94 billion by 2033, driven by a CAGR of 17.4% between 2025 and 2033. North America stands out as the largest region in 2024. Other regions such as Asia Pacific are forecast to grow faster during the outlook period, spotlighting an evolving global geography of reverse-logistics demand.

Key Companies & Market Share Insight

Leading firms in the reverse-logistics market are pursuing mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships to strengthen their competitive position. Companies such as FedEx Corporation provide a full suite of reverse-logistics services—including returns management, repair, refurbishment, recycling and disposition—which helps clients transform returns from a cost-sink into value recovery. FedEx uses advanced platforms (e.g., ReverseLogix RMS) to streamline returns processes, enhance customer communication and deliver real-time business intelligence. Likewise, DB Schenker is actively advancing reverse-logistics capabilities within the circular-economy framework: the company annually repairs over 2 million electronics devices and offers a modular solution that integrates return initiation, inspection, repair and smart dispositioning to help meet ESG objectives and operational efficiency.

Key Companies List

Major companies engaged in the reverse-logistics market include:

  • DB Schenker (Deutsche Bahn AG)
  • Deutsche Post AG
  • FedEx Corporation
  • Kintetsu World Express, Inc.
  • United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)
  • Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd.
  • RLG Systems AG
  • Core Logistic Private Limited
  • Safexpress Pvt. Ltd.
  • H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

Conclusion

In summary, the reverse-logistics market is entering a phase of accelerated growth driven by booming e-commerce, rising returns volumes and greater focus on circular-economy practices. With a forecast expansion from USD 823.21 billion in 2024 to USD 3,183.94 billion by 2033 (CAGR 17.4%), stakeholders across transport, warehousing, repair and resale must adapt to shifting industry dynamics. Regional growth drivers vary—with North America currently leading and Asia Pacific poised to grow fastest—while large logistics players are positioning to capture value by transforming returns from cost centres into strategic assets.

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