DO online shoppers really want same-day delivery? This was the question asked by parcel collection network Hubbed in its latest research.

The data was derived from more than two million parcel collections across the Hubbed network of over 2000 locations. It showed that just 36% of online shoppers picked up their parcels on the day they were delivered to the collection points.

Nearly half (47%) of shoppers collected their parcels two to four days after arriving at a collection location, and 17% waited five or more days to collect their parcels.

CEO and founder of Hubbed David McLean said, “Our findings suggest that the majority of our collection customers do not consider same-day deliveries a priority.

“Instead, we think most shoppers choose same-day delivery as more of a guarantee that the delivery will arrive. They seem to also view collection points as a means of storing their parcels securely until they are ready to collect them at a time that suits them.

“This is extremely helpful for retailers, some of whom have been prioritising same-day delivery services which whilst important should be supported with a convenient click and collect network.”

Collection data from Hubbed’s network of collection locations, which include 7-Eleven stores, BP service stations, Pack and Send, Repco and independent retail outlets, found that after-hours parcel collection is popular, with 45% of individuals opting to pick up parcels from 3pm onwards. This suggests consumers regard after-hours collection as a convenient time to pick up parcels that fits into their schedule and lifestyle.

Across some states and territories, the most popular collection times were largely on par with the national trend. In the Northern Territory, the largest proportion of parcels (21%) were picked up at 6pm, while in WA, 15% of consumers collected parcels at 7pm. In the ACT, 16% of consumers prefer to pick up parcels at 4pm, while 15% of Tasmanians collect deliveries at 5pm. In WA, 15% of consumers collect parcels from a collection point at 7pm, while South Australians and Queenslanders prefer to pick up parcels at 5pm, at 14% and 12%, respectively. Meanwhile, an equal 12% of those in NSW and Victoria prefer to collect parcels at 4pm.

While the results reveal there is little difference across weekdays for parcel collection, Saturday is starting to grow in popularity: parcel collections grew to 8% in 2020, from 5% in 2019.