Holiday shoppers demand faster, greener delivery but shun extra fees
Consumers across multiple global markets are adjusting their holiday shopping and shipping strategies as pressure mounts on retailers and logistics firms to deliver quickly, affordably and sustainably. A recent international survey points to changing expectations for delivery speed, a lack of confidence in arrival timelines, and increased willingness to adopt alternative collection and shipping solutions.
Delivery expectations
Over half of surveyed shoppers expect standard shipping to deliver packages within two to four days after placing online orders. The highest levels of these expectations are found in Germany (64%) and the UK (61%). In contrast, Australia and New Zealand report the lowest (36%).
Despite these high expectations, only a third of respondents say they are very confident their packages will arrive on time. Respondents in the Middle East demonstrated the highest confidence at 51%, while only 26% of UK participants shared the same assurance.
Adjusted shopping timelines
To address delivery uncertainty, nearly four in five surveyed consumers shopping for others plan to purchase at least three to four weeks before holiday celebrations. Gen Z, Gen X and Millennials generally expect to buy gifts three to four weeks ahead, while nearly half of Baby Boomers opt to purchase more than a month in advance.
"The shipping and logistics industry has faced a variety of challenges this year, and our 2025 Global Consumer Holiday Shipping Survey reveals how these disruptions are reshaping consumer behaviours. Consumers across regions and generations are entering the holiday season with higher expectations around speed, affordability and sustainability. These shifting priorities could have major impacts on retailers and logistics service providers as we enter peak season-with the potential to influence year-end sales performance significantly," said Ann Marie Jonkman, Vice President, Global Industry Strategies at Blue Yonder.
Shifting shipping strategies
The survey also reflects consumers' growing preference to ship holiday gifts directly from retailers, with 86% globally selecting this option. Regional differences emerged, with the Middle East showing the highest preference at 94%, followed by France at 90%.
Generational analysis suggests younger shoppers are even more likely to favour direct shipment, as 91% of Gen Z and Millennials showed a preference compared to 76% of Baby Boomers.
Reluctance to pay
Many consumers are not prepared to pay extra for expedited shipping. Unwillingness is highest in the UK (43%) and the US (40%), while in the Middle East, only 11% share that stance. A breakdown by generation shows increasing reluctance with age: nearly half of Baby Boomers are unwilling to pay extra, versus only 15% of Gen Z.
Alternative pickup methods
To balance cost, speed, and convenience, over half of survey participants are open to using in-store pickup for online purchases, while 42% would use locker pickup. When it comes to securing free shipping, 49% would consider in-store pickup, and 38% would try locker pickup options.
Sustainability focus
Consumers report growing concern around the environmental impact of shipping. More than half are willing to bundle multiple purchases to reduce environmental effects. A third say they would accept slower shipping to cut emissions, and 23% would pay a fee for carbon offsets-rising to one in three consumers in the Middle East.
"These findings underscore a pivotal shift in consumer behaviors and delivery expectations this holiday season," Jonkman added. "Retailers and logistics service providers must prove their reliability and agility, not just promise it. AI-powered supply chain solutions offer a path forward, enabling companies to optimize their logistics operations to meet rising demands and deliver a better customer experience."
