Next Day Parcel Delivery Reaches Record High

In May 2018, the use of next day delivery services reached record highs, accounting for 37% of all UK delivered orders, according to data from IMRG, the UK’s online retail association.

Next day and day‑specific deliveries have increased steadily over recent years, driven by the rapid growth of eCommerce and online retail. As competition intensifies, start‑ups, SMEs and established sellers alike are having to do more to attract, convert and retain customers.

Fast, reliable delivery has become one of the most powerful differentiators.

More choice is driving more demand

Consumers today have more choice than ever when shopping online. From clothing and food to books, furniture and household essentials, there are hundreds of retailers offering similar products at the click of a button.

With so many options available, eCommerce retailers must work harder to stand out. Offering next day delivery is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s often an expectation. In fact, if your competitors are offering next day delivery and you aren’t, customers may simply look elsewhere.

Shoppers have also become more demanding about convenience and speed. The absence of a next day or day‑specific delivery option can directly result in lost sales, reinforcing why demand continues to rise on both sides of the transaction.

The rise of eCommerce and faster fulfilment

UK online retail parcel volumes increased 14.8% year on year in May 2018, a trend closely linked to the growth in next day delivery. This shift highlights how retailers are moving towards faster, more efficient fulfilment models to stay competitive in an increasingly complex retail environment.

As a result, more eCommerce businesses are turning to fulfilment services to streamline their operations. Outsourced fulfilment can provide a quicker, more reliable way to process orders, pick and pack items, and dispatch parcels – reducing reliance on longer, more fragile supply chains.

Challenges of next day delivery – and how to overcome them

Rising demand for next day delivery places significant pressure on retailers to move stock quickly and accurately. For global operators like Amazon, this is supported by large workforces and extensive distribution networks. However, the same IMRG data shows that on‑time delivery performance fell to 88% in May 2018 – the lowest level recorded by the Index at that time.

Strong volume growth can stretch internal resources, leading to late deliveries, customer dissatisfaction and potential brand damage. This is why choosing reliable parcel delivery partners is critical. Working with an experienced provider can help retailers maintain service levels, even during peak periods.

The future of fast delivery

Delivery is set to evolve further as new technologies continue to emerge. While drones, autonomous vehicles and delivery robots often grab headlines, the most immediate innovation is the push towards even faster fulfilment.

For some consumers, next day delivery is no longer fast enough. Same‑day delivery trials are already underway, including secure locker collections, deliveries to cars using smart‑lock technology, and controlled home access while customers are at work.

Although these approaches introduce new security and operational challenges, one thing is clear: convenience and speed will continue to shape the future of eCommerce and parcel delivery.

Supporting your delivery and fulfilment needs

If your business needs dependable delivery solutions or scalable fulfilment services, Whistl Parcels can help you keep pace with customer expectations.

Get started by filling out our online contact form and discover how we can support your growth.