According to the latest data from DHL eCommerce UK, more than a third (35%) of consumer shipments are redirected while in transit, with one in 10 orders amended on the day of delivery, highlighting consumers’ demands for flexibility.
Data from DHL’s global Online Shopper Trends report also revealed that people in the UK are the most likely to trust their neighbors with their parcels, with more people in the UK than in any other country stating a preference for deliveries to be redirected to their neighbors.
DHL is also seeing month-on-month growth in redirections to parcel collection points and lockers as consumers seek more convenient options. The company says that during peak periods of online shopping, redirections to parcel collection points increase by up to 50%.
In addition, as home working has risen, more consumers are opting for options such as ‘do not disturb’, which instructs the driver not to knock at the door but to automatically leave the parcel in a safe place.
Stuart Hill, CEO of DHL eCommerce UK, said, “The data clearly shows that consumer demand for flexibility is growing. We can expect to see this ramp up over the summer months when people are out of the home even more, enjoying the weather and the summer of sport.
“By tracking and understanding how consumers are interacting with their deliveries, we can drive a better service, provide valuable insights to our customers and continue to develop our offering with more choice and control for the consumer.”
In rural areas where neighbors are more remote, consumers are opting for parcels to be left in safe places on their premises, whereas in urban areas, close neighbors are the most common point of redirection. While changes in delivery location are the most common request from consumers, few choose to change the delivery date, showing that certainty and timeliness are paramount.