13 November 2025, London – With Black Friday madness starting earlier each year and consumers’ expectations around delivery higher than ever, Europe’s logistics networks are being pushed to the limit. New data from Sendcloud reveals that the busiest shopping week of the year also carries the highest delivery risks.
According to the data, lost parcels rose by roughly 20% and damaged shipments spiked 34% during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday period in 2024. While 2023 saw both issues peaking together in late November, 2024 revealed a troubling new pattern: damages peaking earlier during Cyber Monday week, and losses extending well into December, creating new challenges for both couriers and online retailers.
Delivery speed also took a hit. Across Europe, average lead times rose during December as networks reached capacity. The share of parcels delivered within one day fell to 43% at the height of peak season, highlighting how even the fastest markets struggled to keep up with demand.
Consumers Turn to Parcel Lockers for Safety and Control
To better understand how shoppers are adapting, Sendcloud surveyed 2,000 online consumers in France and the Netherlands ahead of the 2025 peak season. The findings show a clear shift in consumer confidence toward more controlled delivery methods:
- 79% trust parcel lockers or pick-up points more than home delivery during the holidays.
- 74% say a parcel locker feels safer than leaving a package at their door.
- 63% prefer using lockers or pick-up points specifically to avoid failed deliveries.
These figures underline a shift in consumer habits: a move away from doorstep deliveries toward safer, more predictable alternatives.
“At Sendcloud, we see parcel lockers as a cornerstone of the next phase of sustainable delivery”, said Rob van den Heuvel, CEO and Co-founder of Sendcloud. “Parcel lockers give shoppers more control over when and where they receive their orders, and for retailers, that means fewer failed attempts, lower delivery costs, and happier customers. It’s a win-win that takes pressure off everyone during the busiest weeks of the year.”
A Call for Smarter Peak Planning
Sendcloud’s findings highlight a growing delivery gap across Europe. As e-commerce demand continues to rise and delivery networks reach capacity, parcel lockers offer a sustainable way to reduce strain, cut failed deliveries, and improve customer experience during the most critical weeks of the year.
Retailers preparing for Black Friday and Christmas are urged to integrate flexible checkout options and localised delivery choices into their online stores, a simple change that prevents failed deliveries and reduces order inquiries.
“The delivery landscape in Europe is evolving fast,” van den Heuvel adds. “We already see in the Nordics how lockers and pick-up points are strengthening the logistics network. This is the moment for the rest of Europe to follow suit and make delivery more reliable for everyone.”
About Sendcloud
Sendcloud is Europe’s leading shipping platform that empowers e-commerce merchants to scale their shipping operations effortlessly and deliver a customer-first experience.
Founded in 2012, Sendcloud was born from a genuine need to create a level playing field for all e-commerce merchants. Backed by Softbank and trusted by 30,000+ companies across Europe, Sendcloud has the vision to solve shipping globally.
