You want to sell your e-fulfilment business? Then it's good to know what the takeover market in the field of e-fulfilment companies looks like.
E-fulfilment businesses are on the rise due to the number of web orders placed daily. Webshops are increasingly outsourcing packing, shipping and delivery to an outside party. As a result, consolidations in this service have also increased in recent years.
There are many ways to value a business. A common method of expressing the value of a business is "a factor x gross annual profit." This factor is also called multiple and another designation for gross annual profit is EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortization).
In e-commerce - the sector to which e-fulfilment companies belong - an indicative EBITDA multiple range of 4.6 to 5.7 is currently used, according to the Brookz Takeover Barometer. The average EBITDA multiple across all SME sectors is 4.90.
The valuation of a business is often the starting point for negotiations between buyer and seller. The outcome of these negotiations is the final sales price. So valuation and price are two different quantities. Besides valuation, the price is also determined by possible scarcity in the market, bargaining power of the parties, the strategic value of the business for the buyer and possible synergy effects for the buyer (cost savings, purchasing advantages).
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Do you want to buy a business or sell a business in the e-commerce sector? With this Brookz Sector Monitor, we want to present buyers and sellers with facts, figures and an outlook that provide insight into the number of transactions, the value development of businesses and the latest trends and developments in e-commerce. Because in any buying or selling process, thorough preparation gives peace of mind, overview and structure.
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There are many startups in the market every year, so the number of businesses with one person working is very high.
In figures, the number of e-fulfilment companies in 2024 looked as follows(CBS):
With this online training from Brookz you are optimally prepared to largely sell your business yourself: 25 Powerpoint videos, a comprehensive valuation report, legal model contracts, handy templates, checklists and expert support. Plus 50% discount on listing your business on Brookz!
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A number of trends and developments will inevitably cause changes in the coming years, but also offer e-fulfilment companies many growth and acquisition opportunities:
Still omnichannel stands head and shoulders above other trends, according to Sendcloud. By making online and offline an extension of each other, consumers experience a better shopping experience. As a result, business results improve significantly. Essential to the e-fulfilment market, of course, is that logistics between all parties involved are well organized.
Consumers, as well as the business market, are avoiding large investments and are more likely to go for subscription-based services or products. This keeps overhead costs relatively low and customer service is always around the corner. Low risk and still meet today's requirements. In terms of logistics, there is also a demand for new forms of order picking and transportation. It all has to be automated and as efficient as possible, so that's where the challenge lies for e-fulfilment companies.
Personalizing packaging materials is a way for entrepreneurs to make their mark in the industry. Differentiate yourself in color, shape, service and personalization. The more customization you provide, the more likely the customer will return.
