Most Consumers Prefer Home Delivery Over Curbside Pickup: Pitney Bowes

Despite the popularity of retail curbside pickup, at-home delivery "remains king for shoppers,” reported Pitney Bowes Wednesday. Morning Consult canvassed 2,000 online shoppers for Pitney Bowes, finding 64% of consumers prefer home delivery vs. 23% for curbside pickup when given the two options. An exception was for grocery deliveries: 44% preferred curbside to 39% for home delivery. About three-quarters of baby boomers prefer delivery over curbside, it said. Two factors that drive the choice for home delivery over curbside pickup are free shipping and flexible delivery times, said the company. Some 64% of e-commerce shoppers said free delivery on home shipping influences their decision to use that fulfillment feature; 38% would opt for curbside pickup for online purchases, other than groceries, as a way to get items without paying shipping costs, it said. Some 37% said they would opt for curbside pickup to receive an item faster. A question on estimated delivery dates showed 59% of shoppers said early deliveries are an inconvenience. Reasons included not being home on the delivery day and “being uncomfortable with deliveries sitting out,” it said.