Out-of-home delivery gains popularity amid growing consumer demand for flexibility

London, 24 October 2024 – As parcel pickup and drop-off networks continue to expand, out-of-home (OOH) delivery is rapidly gaining traction in the UK. New research from Sendcloud, which surveyed 1,000 UK consumers, reveals that OOH delivery is quickly becoming the preferred option for many, offering greater convenience and control.

While home delivery remains the most common choice, with 79.3% of consumers still preferring delivery to their home address, the interest in OOH alternatives such as service points and parcel lockers is surging.

In 2024, 26% of shoppers indicated they would choose service point delivery and 33.9% expressed interest in parcel lockers - a significant increase from just two years ago, when only 7% and 13% respectively considered these alternatives.

Notably, serial shoppers (2 or more online purchases per week) show a strong preference for OOH options, with 44% favouring delivery to a service point and 46.2% opting for parcel lockers. Similarly, consumers that live in metropolitan areas also display increased interest, with 36.3% choosing service points and 39.5% selecting parcel lockers.

Options, options, options: It’s all about convenience

The shift to OOH delivery is primarily fueled by convenience, with 58.3% of consumers citing this as a reason for selecting OOH over home delivery. Additionally, many consumers are seeking greater control over how their deliveries are managed:

• 58.1% want the ability to adjust the delivery location or time once the parcel is in transit

• 67.5% want to choose their preferred delivery day and time

• 82.5% want to decide what happens if the first delivery attempt fails

Offering flexibility: The key to staying competitive 

As more consumers become aware of the flexibility and ease of OOH delivery options, the desire for these methods is expected to accelerate. For retailers, providing these options is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a necessity. According to Sendcloud’s research, almost a third of consumers (28.5%) would consider shopping elsewhere if OOH delivery was not available.

“Consumers are seeking more control and convenience when it comes to their delivery preferences. They want control over where, when, and how their parcels are delivered. The shift toward flexibility is undeniable, and retailers who provide multiple delivery options, including service points and parcel lockers, are positioning themselves to lead in the evolving e-commerce landscape. Offering a strong alternative to home delivery is not just an advantage; it’s essential for staying competitive.” - Sabi Tolou, Co-founder at Sendcloud. 

About Sendcloud

Sendcloud is the complete shipping platform for e-commerce – enabling retailers, marketplaces, and fulfillment companies to scale their operations and deliver great shipping experiences. Today’s consumers want to decide where, when, and how they receive an order. But meeting their needs while still making a profit is a challenge. Sendcloud solves this by centralizing and automating the entire shipping process.

From label printing to branded tracking updates and returns management - Sendcloud lets you own your shipping from checkout to returns. Backed by Softbank and trusted by 25,000 companies across Europe, Sendcloud is on a mission to solve shipping globally.