The U.S. big and bulky last-mile delivery market lost momentum in 2024, with slower growth expected through 2026, a new report from Armstrong & Associates says.
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The report, Delivering through Uncertainty: Big and Bulky Last-Mile Delivery in the United States, was released in partnership with the National Home Delivery Association. It looks at market size, key players, customer segments, delivery costs, and workforce trends across the U.S.
Armstrong & Associates estimates the U.S. third-party logistics big and bulky last-mile market reached $10.15 billion in 2024. The firms analyzed in the report had delivery revenues ranging from $1.5 million to $1.1 billion, covering about 32% of the market.
The market grew at an average rate of 11.4% per year from 2017 to 2024. Looking ahead, the report projects slower growth of 7.2% annually from 2024 to 2026.
One key factor behind the slower outlook is declining consumer spending, which directly affects demand for big and bulky deliveries. The report also points to uncertainty around new import tariffs as another factor slowing the market.
“Since much of the demand for last-mile delivery is closely linked to consumer behavior, we see this as a headwind,” the report notes.
In this study, big and bulky last-mile delivery includes shipments like furniture, appliances, electronics, fitness equipment, construction materials, industrial machinery, and medical equipment — items that require more handling than small-parcel e-commerce orders. Both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments are included.
The report also highlights several trends impacting the market. More 3PLs are using freight brokers to secure capacity, while delivery networks continue to shift between employee and contractor models. In addition, more LTL, household goods, and truckload carriers are entering the last-mile space to serve the growth in e-commerce for large items.
Several companies are also expanding their services for oversized and big and bulky deliveries. For example, UPS Roadie recently launched RoadieXD, a fast delivery service aimed at oversized items. Meanwhile, Packsize has introduced an on-demand packaging solution designed to better handle large and irregularly sized shipments.
As the market evolves, service quality remains a selling point. The report notes that 3PLs that “optimize their delivery processes and uphold high service standards will be best positioned for success.”
