Mail Order in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: March 2024
NAICS 45411bRevenue
$252.3bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
387k
Businesses
64,958
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Mail Order in the US industry analysis
Mail-order retailers are companies that primarily use mail catalogs and TV to display and sell merchandise. Rapidly increasing competition from online shopping outlets forced mail-order retailers to develop new strategies to prevent revenue losses or slow growth. E-commerce retailers offer levels of convenience that are highly attractive to consumers, lowering sales from mail order services, particularly among younger consumers. However, the industry benefited from the pandemic, as older consumers were encouraged to reduce exposure to the virus and stay at home. Revenue for mail-order businesses is expected to climb at a CAGR of 4.3% to $252.3 billion through the end of 2024, despite a forecast decline of 2.1% in 2024.
Trends and Insights
- Competition from e-commerce continues to grow. Mail order companies have resorted to building their own websites to diversify revenue streams.
- The pandemic boosted demand for health products. Retailers serving this segment benefit from the US population becoming more health-conscious in recent years.
- Proximity to trade ports benefits retailers by providing easy access to imported products. This enables retailers to lower operating costs and boost profit.
- Mail order retailers face increasing external competition. The growth of e-commerce solutions and the comeback of brick-and-mortar stores will place pressure on mail-order retailers.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $252.3bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Fluctuations in consumer spending influences sales
- Mail-order products are discretionary in nature, making them susceptible to changes in spending habits. The 2020 pandemic resulted in higher disposable income levels because of reduced expenses from other areas, like gas and entertainment. Stimulus programs also pushed up disposable income levels.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Macroeconomic trends change consumer behavior
- In recent years, the Federal Reserve has increased the federal funds rate to combat high inflation. A climb in the federal funds rate signals less liquidity in the market and corresponds to less economic activity.
Biggest companies in the Mail Order in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cigna Corp | 50,312.7 | 2,268.9 | 4.5 | |
Qvc, inc. | 9,106.4 | 1,122.7 | 12.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Health and beauty products, Computer hardware, software and office supplies and Clothing, jewelry and accessories. Health and beauty products is the largest segment of the Mail Order in the US.
Trends and Insights
Health and beauty products grow amid the pandemic
- Health and beauty products account for the largest portion of revenue. The segment includes cosmetic products like facial creams, make-up, perfumes and colognes, prescription and nonprescription drugs and other medical products.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Consumer Electronics Stores in the US
- Men's Clothing Stores in the US
- Women's Clothing Stores in the US
- Small Specialty Retail Stores in the US
- E-Commerce & Online Auctions in the US
Complementors
- There are no industries to display.
International industries
- E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada
- Postal Services in Australia
- E-Commerce & Online Auctions in the UK
- Mail-Order & Online Shopping in China
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Mail Order industry is composed of companies that primarily use mail catalogs or TV to attract clients and display merchandise. This industry does not include operators that generate sales through door-to-door marketing, brick-and-mortar retail or e-commerce.
What's included in this industry?
Direct retailing of merchandise using mail catalogsDirect retailing of merchandise using TV advertisingCompanies
Cigna CorpQvc, inc.Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
BRICK-AND-MORTARFULFILLMENTMAIL ORDERE-COMMERCEIndustry Code
NAICS 454110 - Mail Order in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Competition from e-commerce continues to grow. Mail order companies have resorted to building their own websites to diversify revenue streams.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The pandemic boosted demand for health products. Retailers serving this segment benefit from the US population becoming more health-conscious in recent years.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Proximity to trade ports benefits retailers by providing easy access to imported products. This enables retailers to lower operating costs and boost profit.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Mail order retailers face increasing external competition. The growth of e-commerce solutions and the comeback of brick-and-mortar stores will place pressure on mail-order re...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Major companies engage in partnerships to strengthen exposure. Working with public figures is common among companies looking to reach new customers.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Cigna Corp's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Qvc, inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Cigna Corp, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Qvc, inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Growing e-commerce sales lowers mail-order sales. E-commerce solutions offer convenient features that improve the customer experience. Consumers have become more comfortable ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Retailers implement automation systems to lower costs. However, the industry continues to rely heavily on workers for order fulfillment and customer service.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Mail Order in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Mail Order in the US industry in United States is $252.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Mail Order in the US industry in 2024?
There are 64,958 businesses in the Mail Order in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 15.6 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Mail Order in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Mail Order in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 4.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Mail Order in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Mail Order in the US industry in United States is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Mail Order in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Mail Order market in United States are Cigna Corp and Qvc, inc.
What does the Mail Order in the US in United States include?
Direct retailing of merchandise using mail catalogs and Direct retailing of merchandise using TV advertising are part of the Mail Order in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Mail Order in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Cigna Corp.
How competitive is the Mail Order in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Mail Order in the US industry in United States.
