Micro Fulfillment Global Market Report 2024

The micro fulfillment market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $4.5 billion in 2023 to $6.55 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.4%. The expansion observed in the historical period can be attributed to several factors, including the surge in e-commerce, urbanization, and population density. Additionally, advancements in supply chain optimization, changes in consumer expectations, and the emergence of grocery delivery services have played pivotal roles in driving this growth.

The micro fulfillment market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $29.51 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.7%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period is linked to several key factors, including the rapid trajectory of urbanization, the flourishing online grocery segment, heightened expectations for same-day delivery services, increased integration of advanced software solutions, a growing demand for sustainable practices, intensified market competition, and a focus on cost optimization. Notable trends expected in this forecast period encompass customer-centric solutions, strategic partnerships, collaborative efforts with third-party logistics (3PL) providers, the ascendancy of robotic handling, the integration of real-time analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the development of specialized solutions tailored for specific industry verticals.

The anticipated surge in demand for the e-commerce sector is poised to drive the growth of the micro-fulfillment market in the foreseeable future. The e-commerce industry encompasses the online buying and selling of goods and services, utilizing various tools and processes for both consumers and sellers, such as smartphone shopping and secure online payment encryption. E-commerce fulfillment streamlines the logistics involved in delivering online orders to customers' doorsteps, eliminating the need for manual handling of each order. The escalating demand in the e-commerce sector is expected to be a significant catalyst for the expansion of the micro-fulfillment market. As an illustration, a Forbes article in February 2023 reported that e-commerce sales surged from $5.21 trillion in 2021 to over $5.72 trillion in 2023, with projections indicating the market could surpass $8.1 trillion by 2026. Consequently, the increasing demand in the e-commerce sector is a driving force behind the growth of the micro-fulfillment market.

The growth of the micro-fulfillment market is further propelled by the increasing penetration of the internet. Internet penetration refers to the percentage of the population with access to the internet, facilitating online ordering and enabling customers from diverse locations to easily access the offerings of micro-fulfillment centers. This accessibility ensures accurate order fulfillment, contributing to seamless operations. Notably, as of October 2023, DataReportal, a Singapore-based online reference library, reported a global internet user base of 5.30 billion people, constituting 65.7% of the world's total population. Over the past 12 months, the connected population increased by more than 189 million. Consequently, the growing internet penetration emerges as a significant driver for the micro-fulfillment market.

Technological advancements within the micro-fulfillment market are gaining significant traction as major companies strive to innovate and maintain their competitive positions. Notably, in September 2021, Honeywell, a prominent American conglomerate corporation, introduced cutting-edge robotic technology by launching smart de-palletizing robots designed for micro-fulfillment. This innovative product is anticipated to enhance automation in warehouses and distribution centers, particularly in roles prone to risks or high turnover rates. The Smart Flexible De-palletizer leverages advanced machine learning and grasping technologies to facilitate pallet unloading without the need for pre-programming or user intervention.

Major players in the micro-fulfillment market are actively pursuing strategic partnerships to offer real-time inbound container freight management and visibility services to clients involved in micro and fast-forward fulfillment, as well as channel integration. One notable example is the strategic collaboration announced in October 2022 between EDRAY, a US-based collaborative port logistics platform, and Davinci Micro Fulfillment, a provider of e-commerce fulfillment and merchandising services. EDRAY is now delivering technology and managed transportation solutions for ocean freight at Davinci Micro Fulfillment’s locations, enhancing inbound controls and workflow management.

In September 2022, Walmart, a leading American multinational retail corporation, made a strategic acquisition of Alert Innovation for an undisclosed amount. This move is expected to integrate Alert's technology across Walmart's operations, paving the way for the next generation of fulfillment centers. The acquisition positions Walmart to deploy Alert's technology rapidly, offering an unparalleled shopping experience and a competitive edge in omnichannel fulfillment. Alert Innovation, based in the US, specializes in e-grocery technology for e-grocery fulfillment automation.

Major companies operating in the micro fulfillment market report are LG CNS Co. Ltd., Dematic, Fortna Inc., Instacart, TGW Logistic Group, Opex Corporation, Exotec Solutions, KPI Integrated Solutions, The Kroger Company, Hörmann LLC, Huboo Technologies Ltd., Berkshire Grey Inc., Pack & Send Holdings Pty. Ltd., Swisslog Holding AG, Alert Innovation Inc., StrongPoint ASA, DCL Logistics, Honeywell International Inc., Tompkins Robotics, Armstrong Ltd., PeakLogix., Get Fabric Inc., Diamond Logistics Ltd., Via.Delivery Corporation, Pacline Overhead Conveyors, Takeoff Technologies Inc., Davinci Micro Fulfillment Inc.

North America was the largest region in the micro fulfillment market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the micro fulfillment market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the micro fulfillment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The primary categories of micro fulfillment include autostore, shuttle-based, and other innovative models. Autostore, in this context, denotes a middle-tier application implemented in corporate settings for capturing, managing, and routing both paper and electronic documents. Recognized as a cost-effective investment, Autostore delivers a productivity boost essential for maintaining competitiveness. Its robotic technology, modular components, intelligent software, and user-friendly controls position it as a key player in supply chain management, ensuring customer satisfaction. Micro-fulfillment technologies encompass traditional Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), mobile Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), and piece-picking robots tailored for both small and large warehouses. These technologies find application across various sectors, including grocery, general merchandise, and others, catering to the needs of e-commerce, industries, and general stores.

The micro-fulfillment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides micro-fulfillment market statistics, including the micro-fulfillment industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with a micro-fulfillment market share, detailed micro-fulfillment market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the micro-fulfillment industry. This micro-fulfillment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The micro fulfillment market includes revenues earned by entities by providing warehouse automation, e-grocery micro fulfillment solutions, and e-commerce fulfillment services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.