Vans contribute £120bn to UK economy

12th October 2015

Van-dependent businesses generated £120 billion for the UK economy in 2014, up 16% from 2010.

“Although vans are a common sight on our roads, we often overlook their important role in our wider economy,” said James Broadhead, the CEO of Close Brothers, which conducted the research.  “They are an integral part of the supply chain for almost every industry and service, and with the rapid growth of online shopping are increasingly used to deliver a wide range of food and other products to our homes as well.

“However, while their use in transporting goods and services has been apparent for many years, it is this relatively recent growth in online retail that is most influential for the industry, as a strong correlation has been observed between online sales and sales of LCVs.  The amount consumers spend online has more than doubled in the last five years and it’s considered to be a major factor behind the buoyant LCV market, as it’s placed greater demand on delivery and transport firms to keep up.”