Pick a 3PL That Evolves

Growth in 3PL solutions is influenced by your demands. Data shared by more than 200 3PLs and thousands of their customers for this year’s 3PL Perspectives survey offers the following key takeaways that can guide demand-driven enterprises as they seek to align with new partners.

3PLs go hybrid. The percentage of pure-play asset-based 3PLs has steadily decreased between 2024 and 2025. Further making this point, the number of 3PLs identifying as both asset- and non-asset-based jumped in 2025, indicating that hybrid 3PL models are required to answer your needs.

Do wholesalers need 3PLs anymore? This year’s survey shows a significant decline in the percentage of 3PLs that serve wholesale businesses, dropping from 83% in 2024 to 67% in 2025. Is this the impact of the Walmarts and Amazons of the world connecting suppliers directly with ecommerce retailers who no longer need 3PL solutions?

3PLs fend off Amazon. While the percentage of 3PLs serving the ecommerce market shows a slight decline, it’s less pronounced than in the wholesale market sector. Overall, ecommerce activity grew to an estimated $1.34 trillion domestically and $6 trillion+ globally, yet the 3PLs responding to the Inbound Logistics 3PL Perspectives survey show only a small decrease in share. Your best pick for a 3PL provider is the one that invests and adapts to compete with the vaunted Amazon and Walmart.

Ask your 3PL about internal efficiency. Survey respondents peg the importance of enhanced operational efficiency. That means money saved is money to invest with you.

And speaking of investment… Almost all respondents point to the increasing role of technology as a defining factor in profitability growth, despite flat sales in many cases. Look for high levels of tech investments as you consider your supply chain significant other.

When choosing a partner, consider these survey takeaways:

• Does your prospective logistics partner embrace and optimize hybrid operational models? If so, they’ll stay healthy.
• Does the 3PL intensify tech spend—AI, automation, and visibility? Spending once and sharing with many is the best route for adapting expensive tech regimes.
• Does the 3PL go head-to-head with the ecommerce giants offering Amazonian-like solutions?

Our research identifies the key traits of 3PLs that are actively investing to align with your changing requirements. If your potential logistics partner matches this description, pick that one.