With the advent of digitalization, the Indian eCommerce market has come a long way, making it possible for people to buy anything and everything online, right from the comfort of their homes. This is the reason why many in the retail business are now switching to digital platforms to sell their finished goods and services to consumers across the world, and the logistics industry has clearly played a major role in making it possible for businesses to reach customers, even in the most remote areas.
The logistics industry has existed around the world for many years, just like the import and export trade, but, with increasing inventions in technology and infrastructure, international courier service has come a long way. The Indian logistics market had an estimated value of $250 billion in the fiscal year 2021. In 2025, it was predicted that this industry will reach 380 billion dollars with a 10 to 12 percent compound annual growth rate, as per Statista.
By 2020, the internal logistics departments of large eCommerce platforms controlled more than half of the country’s eCommerce logistics business. Amazon Transportation Services were the largest eCommerce logistics company in the country by the end of 2020, handling close to 2.75 million packages daily. While many eCommerce giants handle their own logistics requirements, many eCommerce startups and small-scale firms still rely on outsourcing their eCommerce logistics to either a third-party logistics provider (3PL) or a shipping aggregator company.
This blog will walk you through every aspect of who courier aggregators are, what is their role in eCommerce logistics, and what are the benefits they offer, along with some of the best shipping aggregators in the business.
Who are Courier Aggregators?
Companies known as shipping or courier aggregators connect eCommerce businesses with a vast network of independent courier companies through an integrated platform. Getting multiple carrier partner options on a single platform helps eCommerce merchants in managing logistics operations with maximum ease.
Shipping aggregators typically offer a variety of shipping services to facilitate end-to-end order fulfilment. With an advanced online shipping platform, a vast network of carrier partners and a wide pin code serviceability, an aggregator offers lowest shipping rates and high profit margin to oline sellers. They also usually offer discounts on shipping rates, which can further save businesses money. Some courier aggregators even offer additional services such as package tracking and insurance.
Due to the ability of courier aggregators to hire qualified specialists to manage shipping and fulfilment requirements of eCommerce companies, businesses are free to devote more time and resources to other aspects of their operations. They serve as an intermediary for courier partners and eCommerce companies, providing trustworthy shipping services during periods of peak demand.
What Are The Advantages of Choosing Courier Aggregators?
1. Significantly reduced logistics expenses
Over 90% of third-party logistics users opted to outsource the logistics requirements of their business to a reputable logistics aggregator, according to the 2016 State of Logistics Outsourcing Report. The adoption of a logistics aggregator platform, according to more than 70% of the respondents, has enabled them to trim down overall logistics expenses.
2. Less expensive system investment
The top logistics aggregator platforms have cutting-edge technology for controlling warehouses and transportation equipment. By doing this, your business will be able to avoid investing money in the complex software and other digital items required to maintain logistics management systems. Although you will have to pay a little amount for these overhead expenses, the expenditure will be split among many clients and won’t ever pose a significant financial burden on your company.
3. No need for fleet maintenance
You will have the choice of dedicated contract carriage if you work with the correct shipping aggregator provider. By doing this, you’ll be able to take advantage of private fleet attributes without having to pay for trucks, hire drivers, maintain equipment, or deal with compliance and liability issues that could result in penalties, lawsuits, etc. All of this will enable you to make significant financial savings without sacrificing the timely and secure delivery that your clients have come to expect.
4. Availability of multiple courier partners
The ability of shipping aggregators to partner with various courier services gives sellers the opportunity to select whichever courier partner they prefer for each shipment, that too within their proximity. As per the business requirement, a seller can work with many courier service providers to fulfil their logistics needs.
5. Responsibility and freight cost sharing
In India and other countries, truck aggregators can arrange for the rapid transportation of entire truckloads of cargo. Therefore, even if your business only wants to send a few shipments to a specific location, the aggregator will have other clients who also need to send packages to the same location. As a result, all of these items will be sent to you in a single shipment, saving you money by splitting the cost of shipping and delivery. Additionally, the liability for any mishaps or accidents that occur during shipment will be taken care of by the shipping aggregators you engaged with.
6. Greater accessibility to new markets
You will have to start from scratch when entering a new market, such as a new town or state. This involves investing in truck fleets, renting storage space, recruiting and training delivery staff, etc. This entire process can be time-consuming. In contrast, a reputable provider of eCommerce shipping solutions in India can assist you in swiftly entering a new market and reaching customers in a location where you lack the necessary infrastructure or logistical capabilities. They will keep your inventory in storage, handle your deliveries, and work well with your systems.
7. Scale up labour resources affordably
A third-party logistics provider can assist your business by managing a virtual workforce and employing temporary staff as needed, enabling you to reach your objectives more reasonably. In this approach, you can manage the extra workload cost-effectively if there is an unexpected increase in orders, like during a festival. By hiring full-time employees who could be unnecessary for the rest of the year, you can avoid incurring a permanent financial burden with the help of the best shipping aggregator platform.
Top 5 Courier Aggregators in The Business for the Best Shipping Experience
1. NimbusPost
NimbusPost, a 2018-established shipping aggregator serves SMEs, large-scale brands, as well as D2C brands with tech-enabled logistics services. Its major services include domestic shipping, international courier services, and warehouse & fulfilment services. Covering 29000+ pin codes across the country and 196 countries worldwide, it offers a highly responsive mechanism for connecting with 27+ courier partners. With NimbusPost, you can automatically import order details from multiple marketplaces and eCommerce channels, and experience flawless shipping through one-click API integration. Plus, you can easily track all the shipments in real-time through its tracking feature.
2. Shiprocket
The most prominent shipping aggregator currently in business, Shiprocket, serves various household names like Gillette and Bira. After being established in 2012, this business has developed into one of the biggest aggregators, with over 240 personnel managing its operations for small, medium, and large businesses
3. Shyplite
Shyplite, which was established in 2016, has grown quickly and is now the logistics aggregator for significant eCommerce businesses including Gadget Now and the Gourmet Jar. With more than 100 personnel managing their business, they ensure effective delivery to more than 26,000 pin codes and permit seamless connection with more than 16 different shipping firms.
4. Pickrr
Pickrr is another best platform for eCommerce companies, particularly those that target more specialised markets in the nation. Pickrr, a company that was established in 2015, focuses on offering quick delivery all over India with its 50+ staff members. They work with ten shipping firms and provide services for over 27,000 unique pin numbers.
5. Vamaship
Beginning in 2015, Vamaship also has progressed to the point where it now works with more than 10 shipping partners. More than 27,000 different pin codes are served by their services. In general, their onboarding procedure is regarded as rapid, simple, and economical.
Conclusion
Given their several advantages, hiring a shipping aggregator for outsourcing your eCommerce logistics operations would turn out to be an economical and hassle-free solution to boost your brand value and increase your presence in the global eCommerce market.