Next-day delivery has become a crucial offering in eCommerce, with consumers worldwide expecting faster fulfilment as standard. From the UK to Europe and beyond, shoppers are making purchase decisions based on speed and convenience, making next-day delivery a key factor in reducing basket abandonment and driving conversions. (Retail Economics, 2024)
Shopping Preferences for Next-Day Delivery
United Kingdom
Next-day delivery is a top priority for UK shoppers, with consumers expecting rapid fulfilment for online orders. The rise of online marketplaces and premium membership programmes, such as Amazon Prime, has increased demand for fast shipping options.
Research from the Basket Abandonment Report 2024 highlights that UK consumers rank next-day delivery as one of the most influential factors when deciding where to shop. (Retail Economics, 2024)
Europe
While European shoppers also value speed, their delivery expectations vary by country. In markets such as Germany and France, next-day delivery is growing in popularity, especially for fashion and electronics.
However, countries with more complex logistics networks, such as Spain and Italy, still show strong demand for cost-effective standard shipping options. (Statista, 2024)
Rest of the World
In regions like North America and Asia, next-day delivery is a well-established standard.
The influence of major eCommerce players like Alibaba, JD.com, and Amazon has pushed the boundaries of what consumers expect, with same-day and even instant delivery options becoming increasingly available. (HSBC Global Research, 2024)
The Speedy Shopper Persona
Data from the Basket Abandonment Report 2024 highlights a growing segment of consumers classified as ‘Speedy Shoppers’. These customers prioritise convenience and are willing to pay a premium for next-day shipping. They expect seamless, fast delivery options and are more likely to resort to cart abandonment if these options are not available. Retailers that fail to offer next-day delivery risk losing this valuable customer segment. (Retail Economics, 2024)
Broad range of services ranked to suit dynamic needs
| Delivery Ranking | 2024 Ranking | 2023 Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Next Day Delivery | 1 (-) | 1 |
| Nominated Day | 2 (-) | 2 |
| Express Delivery | 3 (-) | 3 |
| Standard Home Delivery | 4 (-) | 4 |
| Same Day Delivery | 5 (up) | 6 |
| Click & Collect | 6 (down) | 5 |
| Delivery Loyalty Scheme | 7 (up) | 9 |
| Parcel Pick-up | 8 (down) | 7 |
| Parcel Lockers | 9 (up) | 10 |
| Eco-friendly Delivery | 10 (down) | 8 |
Paid Next-Day Delivery: Consumer Willingness to Pay
Despite demand for fast shipping, not all consumers expect it to be free. The GFS Battling Basket Abandonment 2024 report notes that a significant percentage of UK shoppers are willing to pay for next-day delivery — especially if the alternative is a lengthy wait. However, they also expect transparency in pricing, with hidden shipping costs being a major cause of cart abandonment at checkout. (GFS Battling Basket Abandonment, 2024)
Market Growth & Increased Demand
The demand for next-day delivery continues to rise, with projections indicating steady growth in the coming years. (Statista, 2024)
As eCommerce expands, businesses must invest in reliable next-day delivery solutions to stay competitive. Retailers that fail to provide fast shipping risk losing customers to competitors offering better fulfilment options.
Why Choose GFS for Next-Day eCommerce Delivery?
GFS simplifies next-day delivery for online retailers, offering access to multiple carriers through a single integration. With our managed multi-carrier services, retailers can also offer economy services and eco-friendly options so customers can access a healthy mix of options that will significantly reduce the risk of cart abandonment due to lack of delivery options.
With GFS, businesses can:
Offer next-day delivery to meet customer demand
Reduce basket abandonment with faster fulfilment
Streamline operations with a multi-carrier solution
Scale seamlessly with a robust logistics network
References
https://www.retaileconomics.co.uk/retail-insights/thought-leadership-reports/thought-leadership-report-battling-online-retail-basket-abandonment
https://gfsdeliver.com/battling-basket-abandonment-report-2024/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1279369/delivery-time-expectation-online-shoppers-worldwide/
https://www.gbm.hsbc.com/en-gb/insights/global-research/trade-in-2024