Supply Chain Digital Magazine May 2026 | Page 93

For brands, it represents a powerful lever to compete on experience rather than price alone.
However, despite the momentum, same-day delivery remains a relatively small segment of the market. In most countries it accounts for less than 5 % of courier, express and parcel volumes, highlighting the gap between consumer interest and operational reality.
The challenge is not demand alone, but the ability to deliver consistently at scale without eroding margins.
Cost remains a significant barrier Delivering within hours requires dense urban networks, real-time inventory visibility and highly-optimised lastmile operations. Retailers often need to invest heavily in fulfilment infrastructure,

66 %

of frequent online shoppers abandon purchases at least monthly due to poor delivery options
( Retail Gazette)

50 %

almost half of consumers have abandoned online purchases due to slow or unclear delivery timelines
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