New research from Australian retail logistics and parcel delivery provider CouriersPlease has found nine out of every 10 retailers in the country have expanded their parcel delivery options in the lead-up to Christmas.
A survey of 203 Australian retailers commissioned by CouriersPlease also found 82 per cent of retailers planned to offer the increased services into 2025.
The increased last-mile logistics demand placed on Australia’s courier services and delivery personnel has been highlighted by the dramatic increase in retailers offering same day and next day delivery services.
Queensland leads the way for retailers to have introduced same day delivery, with 41 per cent of surveyed businesses implementing the practice.
South Australia leads the way in next-day shipping, with 47 per cent of the state’s retailers surveyed now offering the service, compared to only 27 per cent offering same day services.
Another key change implemented by a variety of online retail platforms has been the introduction of flat rate delivery fees. With regional shoppers often charged higher shipping rates, 28 per cent of retailers switched to flat rate fees in 2024, with a further 29 per cent planning to implement them in 2025.
88 per cent of online shoppers abandon their carts at checkout, with 63 per cent blaming high shipping costs.
More retailers have also been offering alternative delivery choices to allow customers to receive parcels after hours when they are home, or to redirect goods to a secure collection point or to neighbours’ houses.
These changes have come following a rise in parcel theft, with 36 per cent of people reporting parcel loss or theft in their lifetime.
“With such a high proportion of retailers having expanded their shipping options this year, shoppers can expect more choice than ever for getting their parcels delivered in a way that suits them this Christmas,” CouriersPlease CEO Richard Thame says.
“It’s also encouraging to see retailer shipping strategies will continue to evolve next year, giving shoppers more flexibility and control over how they receive their orders.”
The release of CouriersPlease’s survey results comes after its parent company, Freight Management Holdings, was sold by Singapore Post Limited to Pacific Equity Partners at a business enterprise value of $1.02 billion.
Other companies that operate under the FMH banner include efm Logistics, Border Express and BagTrans.
For CouriersPlease’s full retail shipping survey results, click here.
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