Mail and parcel technology providers Quadient have published the results of a survey into UK customer shopping behaviour and delivery expectations in the run up to Cyber Weekend and Christmas.

Among the 1,000 customers surveyed, half said they will do half of their Cyber Weekend and Christmas shopping online or click & collect this year. A third will opt for home delivery. A large proportion – 31% – expect a missed delivery and multiple redelivery attempts. Forty-eight percent of the online shoppers surveyed said they shop online due to the pandemic while 45% will do out of convenience.

Some 38% of those surveyed by Quadient used parcel lockers. The parcel locker users choose these machines for convenience (24%), 24/7 availability (22%) and 17% due to pandemic anxiety.

“Now that online shopping is such a part of our everyday lives, shoppers will want quick, convenient and secure deliveries this holiday season,” said Bren Standell, commercial director parcel lockers division UK/IRL at Quadient. “For multi-tenant buildings, the issue of incoming parcel management is particularly acute, as managers and agents will want to minimise parcel build-up and provide a safe and secure way for tenants to take delivery of their items with reduced contact. As parcel volumes rise, property managers and agents will also want a solution that reduces operational expenses and increases resident satisfaction.”

“This year, many consumers have had to change their shopping habits and this has brought to the fore issues with missed online deliveries and parcel storage,” continues Standell. “As residents continue to shop online more than usual, we can expect to see increasing pressure for parcel management that meets the needs of efficiency, security and convenience. Tackled in the right way, incoming parcel management can provide tenants with parcel deliveries and collections from home, while eliminating pressure on staff.”