New Study Shows Consumers Prefer Reliable Delivery Over Free Shipping Options
New Consumer Insights from Bringg's Delivery Experience Study
In a world where convenience is king, a fresh study conducted by Bringg, a leader in last-mile solutions, has illuminated the shifting preferences of online shoppers. The research, entitled the 2025 Delivery Experience Study, reveals a clear message for retailers: reliability and flexibility in delivery processes are now more valued by consumers than the ever-popular free shipping option.
Key Findings
According to the study, which surveyed a variety of consumers across the United States, an impressive 75% of participants engage in more than half of their online shopping on Amazon. While Amazon's reputation for swift and cost-free shipping has set a high bar for competitors, the results suggest that merely offering low-cost or free shipping is no longer sufficient for retailers wanting to capture consumer attention and loyalty.
The Importance of Delivery Experience
It became evident from the findings that the delivery experience plays a pivotal role in the shopping process. A staggering 71% of participants consider their delivery experience even before they finalize their purchases. Moreover, 41% weigh the delivery promises from retailers during the initial product browsing phase. These statistics highlight the crucial role that logistics play in the consumer decision-making process.
Reliability Over Speed
In a noteworthy statistic, 72% of respondents stated that timely arrival of their orders is a critically essential factor in their delivery experience. Surprisingly, many consumers prioritize on-time delivery over the overall cost of that delivery. In fact, 35% indicated that they would abandon a retailer altogether following a late delivery. This suggests a fundamental reliability failure rather than merely a cost issue, emphasizing the urgency for retailers to meet customer expectations in this realm.
Cart Abandonment Influencers
Analyzing cart abandonment behavior revealed that 61% of shoppers are willing to leave their carts when delivery options are insufficiently flexible. Furthermore, a remarkable 60% considered on-time delivery guarantees as essential factors in completing their purchases. Such figures underscore the urgent necessity to prioritize adaptable delivery methods to retain potential buyers.
Consumer Loyalty Tied to Delivery Experiences
The ramifications of delivery experiences extend significantly into brand loyalty. Approximately 55% of consumers noted that a single negative delivery experience would dissuade them from purchasing from a brand again. Interestingly, the findings also point out that around 62% attribute blame for delayed deliveries to the retailer, surpassing those who blame delivery services or carriers.
Among affluent shoppers, particularly those making $150,000 or more annually, the expectation level is higher. An astonishing 83% reported that a positive delivery experience encourages them to purchase from a retailer again, irrespective of higher prices compared to competitors.
Conclusion
The delivery experience pillars are encapsulated within two key elements: reliability and flexibility. Retailers can no longer differentiate themselves merely on the basis of shipping speed or costs; instead, they must invest in enhancing experiential delivery capabilities. The pathway to fostering consumer loyalty hinges upon meeting and exceeding the expectations set by their shoppers, particularly powerful and affluent consumers who demand tailored services. This shift encourages businesses to unlock new models that position them as leaders in the evolving eCommerce landscape.
For a detailed understanding of the complete findings, interested readers are encouraged to subscribe to Bringg's resources and receive the full report upon its release.