2 ASX Logistics Stocks Supported by E-Commerce Demand

E-commerce has quietly reshaped the way goods move across Australia. What once involved bulk deliveries to retail stores has evolved into a complex system built around warehouses, sorting hubs, and fast delivery networks designed to reach individual homes. Every online order triggers a chain reaction across ports, roads, warehouses, and distribution centres. As this behaviour becomes part of everyday life, logistics companies sit at the centre of modern commerce.

On the Australian Securities Exchange, two logistics businesses often discussed in the context of e-commerce driven supply chains are Qube Holdings Ltd (ASX: QUB) and CTI Logistics Ltd (ASX: CLX). They operate in different parts of the logistics ecosystem, yet both benefit from how online retail continues to influence freight movement, warehousing needs, and delivery expectations.

This blog explores how e-commerce demand supports their business models, the role data plays in understanding this trend, and what long-term observers should monitor.

Why E-Commerce Has Become a Logistics Growth Engine

E-commerce does more than increase sales volumes. It changes the shape of supply chains. Traditional retail focused on shipping pallets in bulk to stores. Online retail demands frequent shipments, higher inventory turnover, and faster order fulfilment.

Key data trends underline this shift:

1. Online retail accounts for a steadily rising share of total retail sales in Australia, supporting consistent freight volumes.
2. Parcel volumes grow faster than general freight as consumers order smaller quantities more frequently.
3. Warehousing demand increases as retailers require distribution centres closer to population hubs to reduce delivery times.

For logistics providers, this means more touchpoints per product. A single item may pass through a port, a warehouse, a sorting facility, and a delivery network before reaching the customer. Companies positioned across multiple stages of this chain are naturally aligned with e-commerce driven demand.

Qube Holdings Ltd – Scale Meets Integration

Qube is one of Australia’s largest logistics operators, with activities spanning ports, rail, road transport, warehousing, and bulk logistics. This integrated model is important in an e-commerce environment where efficiency depends on how smoothly goods move between modes of transport.

How Qube connects with e-commerce demand

Data from port authorities and trade flows shows that containerised imports remain a core channel for consumer goods sold online. Higher online purchasing often translates into higher container throughput at ports. Qube’s exposure to port services and container logistics places it close to this entry point of the e-commerce supply chain.

Once goods arrive, warehousing becomes critical. Online retailers rely on distribution centres to manage inventory, pick orders, and move products quickly into delivery networks. Qube operates logistics parks and warehousing facilities that support this function, benefiting from higher utilisation as e-commerce driven volumes pass through.

Road and rail distribution form the final link. E-commerce requires reliable inland transport to move goods from ports to warehouses and between distribution centres. Qube’s intermodal capabilities allow it to capture value across these stages rather than relying on a single service line.

What the data signals

Investors tracking Qube often focus on:

1. Container volumes and terminal throughput
2. Utilisation rates of logistics parks and warehouses
3. Growth in integrated contracts that combine port, storage, and transport services

Consistent activity across these metrics indicates alignment with long-term shifts in consumer purchasing behaviour rather than short-term fluctuations.

CTI Logistics Ltd – Specialisation in a High-Turnover World

CTI Logistics approaches the market from a different angle. Rather than large-scale port or bulk infrastructure, CTI focuses on distribution, specialised logistics, and value-added services that support retailers with complex fulfilment needs.

Why CTI fits the e-commerce model

Online retail changes the nature of orders. Instead of shipping full pallets to stores, logistics providers handle:

1. Smaller order sizes
2. Higher SKU variety
3. Faster inventory turnover
4. Increased returns and reverse logistics

CTI’s operations are designed around these requirements. Its distribution centres and logistics services are tailored to businesses that need flexibility, accuracy, and reliable delivery windows. This makes CTI relevant to retailers operating both physical stores and online channels.

Service complexity as a growth driver

Data from retail supply chains shows that fulfilment costs rise with complexity. Managing returns, tracking individual orders, and maintaining inventory accuracy requires more than basic transport services. Logistics partners who can handle these tasks become embedded in their clients’ operations.

CTI’s focus on specialist handling and distribution allows it to participate in this higher-value segment of logistics, where service quality and execution matter as much as volume.

What to monitor

Key indicators for CTI include:

1. Distribution volumes through core facilities
2. New or extended contracts with retail and consumer goods clients
3. Efficiency metrics tied to handling speed and accuracy
4. Investment in systems that support tracking and inventory management

These factors help assess whether CTI continues to match the evolving needs of e-commerce focused clients.

Shared Tailwinds Across Both Businesses

Despite their different models, Qube and CTI share several common advantages linked to e-commerce demand.

Structural rather than cyclical demand
Online shopping is driven by convenience and habit. Even when overall retail growth slows, a shift from offline to online channels sustains logistics activity.

More logistics touchpoints per sale
E-commerce increases the number of steps a product takes before reaching the customer. More steps mean more opportunities for logistics providers to generate revenue.

Technology as a necessity, not a bonus
Real-time tracking, inventory visibility, and data integration are now standard expectations. Companies that combine physical infrastructure with digital systems strengthen their role in modern supply chains.

Risks Worth Keeping in Mind

Logistics businesses are not immune to challenges. Areas to watch include:

1. Trade disruptions that affect import and export volumes
2. Rising fuel, labour, and property costs
3. Competition from global logistics groups with larger networks
4. Operational pressure if service quality slips during volume spikes

How Qube and CTI manage these factors plays a role in determining whether e-commerce support translates into steady operational performance.

Logistics as the Backbone of Digital Commerce

E-commerce may appear digital on the surface, but its success depends on physical execution. Every click creates real-world demand for transport, storage, and coordination. Companies like Qube Holdings Ltd and CTI Logistics Ltd sit behind the scenes, enabling goods to move efficiently through increasingly complex supply chains.

For observers interested in long-term themes tied to consumer behaviour, logistics offers a practical lens into how digital commerce functions in the real economy. By tracking volumes, utilisation, contracts, and operational efficiency, it becomes clear that logistics is not just supporting e-commerce. It is shaping how modern commerce works.

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