2024 eCommerce Delivery Business Statistics & Trends: Complete Industry Analysis

With digitalization transforming different business sectors globally, the eCommerce industry has skyrocketed in the recent past.

The global sales of the eCommerce industry are expected to cross $5.5 trillion by 2022.

People are adapting to the online shopping wave, and businesses are focusing on delivering a quality customer experience from the buyer’s journey to delivery. 

If you aim to start a new eCommerce delivery business or optimize the existing one, we’ve got you covered.

Look at the top eCommerce delivery business statistics & trends in 2024 and make well-informed decisions to enhance eCommerce product delivery.

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Executive Summary: Key eCommerce Delivery Statistics

Methodology & data sources

The data presented here is gathered from reliable sources, including industry reports, market surveys, and insights from global eCommerce platforms. It reflects the most significant trends and consumer behaviors impacting the eCommerce delivery sector.

Key findings overview

  • Latin America saw a 25% rise in eCommerce sales from 2020, with $85 billion in transactions.
  • Countries like the UK, Russia, and the Philippines reported a 20% increase in eCommerce sales.
  • China leads the global eCommerce market, accounting for 52.1% of retail sales worldwide.
  • Over 50% of eCommerce consumers use smartphones for transactions.
  • 30% of grocery businesses transitioned online globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 46% of consumers are willing to purchase high-value items online.
  • Over 50% of customers consider delivery conditions a deciding factor for purchases.
  • 25% of shoppers are willing to spend more for free shipping.
  • 95% of consumers expect shipping issues to be resolved during transit.
  • 85% of U.S. online shoppers expressed dissatisfaction with delivery services.

Current eCommerce Delivery Market Analysis

Market size & growth trends

The global eCommerce delivery market has expanded significantly, driven by:

  • Increased demand for online shopping due to the global pandemic.
  • Adoption of modern technologies to enhance supply chains.
  • Improved accessibility through mobile phones and faster internet.
    These factors have reshaped consumer behaviors and driven significant growth in the eCommerce sector.

Regional performance metrics

North America statistics

  • The U.S. eCommerce market has seen a surge in consumers shopping for essentials online, especially post-pandemic.
  • However, 85% of online shoppers in the United States express dissatisfaction with delivery services, highlighting the need for improvement in logistics and delivery experiences.

Europe statistics

  • Countries like the UK and Russia have reported a 20% increase in eCommerce sales.
  • The region is experiencing steady growth, with free shipping and faster delivery becoming key decision-making factors for consumers.

Asia-Pacific statistics

  • China dominates the global eCommerce market, with 52.1% of retail sales occurring online.
  • Smartphone usage for eCommerce is particularly high, with over 50% of transactions made via mobile devices.
  • The region’s grocery businesses witnessed a massive shift, with over 30% moving online during the COVID-19 outbreak.

We have shortlisted the top 5 trends that can help you strategize your eCommerce delivery business. Have a look.

1. Supply chain resilience

Impact on operations

Before the pandemic, eCommerce supply chains relied on minimal inventory, low-cost supply, and globalization. 

However, COVID-19 revealed vulnerabilities to natural disasters, regulatory shifts, and political instability. 

Companies had to rethink their operations to build supply chain resilience.

Implementation strategies

Many businesses now integrate logistics and transportation in-house rather than outsourcing. This approach streamlines operations, improves efficiency, and ensures better control over deliveries. These strategies ultimately enhance the customer experience and build trust.

2. Mobile shopping and social commerce

Consumer behavior analysis

The shift from brick-and-mortar stores to online shopping has been amplified by the pandemic.

With advancements in mobile technology, such as 4G/5G and shopping apps, consumers increasingly use their smartphones to shop online. 

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook have become critical for driving social commerce, especially in markets like the United States.

Technology integration points

The rise in mobile commerce aligns with increased social media engagement. Brands heavily invest in creating social commerce content to capture the attention of modern consumers. 

As shopping habits evolve, businesses must refine their delivery models to meet the growing demand.

3. Cross-border buy now, pay later adoption

Impact on payment models

The BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) trend continues to grow worldwide, allowing consumers to purchase online more flexibly. This model helps businesses boost sales and strengthen their online presence.

Global expansion trends

Klarna, a Swedish BNPL brand, doubled its gross merchandise volume to $19 billion in 2021.

Countries like Australia, Japan, and Germany have widely adopted BNPL, with partnerships between BNPL providers, banks, and digital wallets rapidly expanding. As this payment model becomes standard, delivery numbers are expected to rise.

4. The metaverse and interactive shopping

Impact on consumer experience

The metaverse, cryptocurrency, and blockchain are reshaping eCommerce by offering immersive shopping experiences. 

The 3D virtual world of the metaverse enhances traditional 2D online shopping, breaking geographical barriers and redefining how consumers interact with brands.

Brand innovations in the virtual space

Global brands like Gucci and Nike are leading the way by hosting virtual fashion shows in platforms like Roblox. Adidas launched NFT collections, while Balenciaga sold apparel in Fortnite. 

As consumer interest in virtual goods grows, businesses are expected to increase their investments in this space.

5. Language localization

Impact on international sales

A study shows 67% of consumers purchase from foreign sites, but many face difficulties due to language barriers. In the United States, consumers often refuse to buy from non-English sites.

Strategies for localization

Brands expanding into global markets should localize product descriptions, checkout processes, and reviews. 

Adapting to the local language boosts conversion rates and enhances the customer experience, helping businesses gain a competitive edge in international markets.

Optimization Strategies & Implementation

Route planning solutions

Delivery planning and optimization are often overlooked in eCommerce operations. Many businesses focus on establishing an online presence and driving transactions, yet they fail to provide a satisfactory delivery experience.

The fact that 85% of consumers are dissatisfied with delivery processes shows how critical it is to enhance the delivery ecosystem in eCommerce.

A route planning and optimization solution can help eCommerce stores:

  • Identify the shortest multi-stop delivery path.
  • Boost logistics and transportation team productivity.
  • Control on-ground operations for a superior customer experience.

However, many businesses rely on manual routing or tools like Google Maps, which leads to inefficiencies. For example, Google Maps:

  • Cannot optimize delivery routes with more than 10 stops.
  • Lacks proof-of-delivery features for contact-free deliveries.
  • Does not offer cost-saving mechanisms, like reducing fuel expenses.

Switching to dedicated route planning and optimization tools helps businesses:

  • Solve delivery challenges with modern solutions.
  • Scale operations to meet rising eCommerce demands.
  • Transform dissatisfied shoppers into loyal customers.

Businesses can stand out by delivering what they promise through powerful route optimization software.

Technology integration guidelines

Implementation steps

  1. Evaluate current delivery workflows to identify inefficiencies.
  2. Research and select an advanced route optimization tool that fits your needs.
  3. Train your logistics team on the new software to ensure smooth adoption.
  4. Continuously monitor and fine-tune delivery processes based on customer feedback.

ROI calculations

Investing in route planning solutions delivers long-term benefits such as:

  • Reduced fuel consumption and delivery expenses.
  • Higher workforce productivity through optimized routes.
  • Increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, driving repeat business.

By calculating savings on operational costs and evaluating customer retention rates, businesses can measure the return on investment from route optimization tools effectively.

Expert Insights & Recommendations

Industry expert perspectives

Industry experts emphasize the importance of transitioning from outdated delivery methods to tech-driven solutions. As the eCommerce market grows, integrating advanced tools for delivery planning is no longer optional but essential.

Experts also highlight that customer experience is a key differentiator. Meeting delivery expectations builds brand reputation and drives sustainable growth.

Future outlook

The eCommerce industry is expected to evolve with further innovations in delivery solutions.

Features like AI-based route planning, real-time delivery tracking, and contact-free proof of delivery will become industry standards. 

Businesses that adapt early will gain a competitive advantage and achieve operational excellence.

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FAQ

Yes, the eCommerce business is one of the most profitable business industries in the world right now. The growth is possible because of the increasingly mobile user percentage and changing consumer behavior. Customers want to experience the buying experience without leaving their locations. The global pandemic also played a huge role in fueling the rise of the online eCommerce industry.

Many offline businesses and new-age startups adapt to the online eCommerce site to strengthen their online presence. With more and more people spending more time on social media and surfing through the internet, businesses want to make the most of the opportunity. There’s not a specific number of retail businesses using eCommerce, but eCommerce is responsible for 20% of the global retail sales in 2021.

The eCommerce industry is expected to grow at an average rate of 16.1% in the next few years. The drastic boost to the industry is possible because of the COVID-19 outbreak that forced customers to avail of goods and products from their homes.

There are multiple future trends in the eCommerce industry that can assist you in making well-informed decisions for your business. But let’s look at the few prominent ones:

  • Supply chain resilience by online retailers
  • Mobile shopping online and social commerce
  • Cross-border buy now, pay later adoption
  • The metaverse and interactive shopping
  • Language localization

eCommerce is growing mainly because of the consumer shift towards using online social and web platforms. The penetration of mobile devices, the internet, and multiple advanced technologies has also boosted the rise of the eCommerce industry. And one of the prime reasons the global adoption of eCommerce is happening is because of the global pandemic that enabled consumers to switch to eCommerce platforms quickly.

Upper Route Planner is Your go-to Solution

Upper Route Planner is the ideal tool to assist you with eCommerce route planning and optimization. It can sprinkle the power of automation in your delivery process, help your workforce work in sync, minimize your shipping costs, and boost productivity.

It can help you:

  • Get a broader perspective of the on-ground delivery operations.
  • Increase your productivity and order delivery rate by 40%.
  • Streamline the multi-stop delivery process and help you cut 95% of route planning time.

You can add up to 500 delivery addresses from your Excel sheets and create an optimized route plan within a few clicks. You can create different routes for different delivery drivers and dispatch them within seconds.

Get instant access to the 7 days free trial of our powerful route planning software and experience the transformation in your delivery process.

Author Bio
Rakesh Patel
Rakesh Patel

Rakesh Patel, author of two defining books on reverse geotagging, is a trusted authority in routing and logistics. His innovative solutions at Upper Route Planner have simplified logistics for businesses across the board. A thought leader in the field, Rakesh's insights are shaping the future of modern-day logistics, making him your go-to expert for all things route optimization. Read more.