Consumers Want Delivery Flexibility Amid Growing Concern Over Package Theft, Says Report

Porch piracy is a top consumer concern this holiday season, reported delivery platform company Convey Wednesday. Some 22 percent of survey respondents worry their packages will be stolen after delivery; two-thirds want the ability to track packages en route and 13 percent want the option to change delivery destination once orders are in transit, it said. Late delivery of packages is consumers’ leading worry this holiday (39 percent). Amazon’s fast, free shipping is setting a high bar for the e-commerce industry; twice as many consumers this year (19 percent) said delivery speed is a critical factor when shopping this year vs. last. Cost was the most important shipping consideration to 64 percent of survey respondents. A faster estimated delivery date in the online shopping cart has a big impact on purchase decisions, said Convey, with 29 percent saying they would be more likely to buy if an order would arrive within a week; 8 percent said shipping date doesn’t influence their likelihood to buy. Free two-day shipping is important to 80 percent, while 31 percent said in-store pickup is important. Some 98 percent want notification if a delivery will be late with email the preferred means of communication at 55 percent vs. 33 percent via text. Seventy-three percent of shoppers said they're unlikely to buy from a brand again after a poor delivery experience.