Consumers may be thinking more carefully about what they buy, but when they do make a purchase, they increasingly expect faster and more reliable delivery, according to new fulfilment data from delivery management platform Scurri during April and May 2026.
While several discretionary retail sectors recorded lower shipment volumes compared with the same period last year, demand for premium delivery services continued to grow strongly. Next-day delivery volumes increased by 29% year on year, while signature services rose by almost 13%.
At the same time, standard delivery volumes fell by 2.7% and two-day delivery remained broadly unchanged.
The findings suggest consumers are becoming more selective about purchases but less willing to compromise on the delivery experience.
“These figures point to an interesting shift in consumer behaviour,” said Gavin Murphy, CMO, Scurri. “Consumers remain cost-conscious and are carefully considering their purchases. However, once they’ve decided to buy, they increasingly want the confidence that comes from a fast, convenient and reliable delivery experience.”
Overall shipment volumes across the Scurri platform increased by more than 22% year-on-year during April and May.
However, performance varied significantly between retail sectors.
Fashion shipments fell by 22%, while Cosmetics (-5%), Food & Drink (-6%), Toys (-8%) and Gifting (-5%) also experienced declines. As UK shoppers move into the summer months, the data suggests shoppers are prioritising seasonal and lifestyle purchases; Homewares (+23%), Tool & DIY (+19%), Pet & Animal (+17%) and Sports Equipment (+14%) all recorded strong growth.
According to Scurri, this pattern reflects a consumer environment in which spending remains selective, with shoppers prioritising purchases linked to home improvement, hobbies and everyday lifestyles while reducing expenditure in other discretionary categories.
Despite this caution, delivery expectations continue to rise. Next-day delivery now accounts for more than 31% of all preferred delivery options across the Scurri platform, making it the most popular premium fulfilment service. Signature services account for a further 23%, highlighting consumers’ growing preference for certainty and control in the final stage of the shopping journey.
“Retailers often assume that economic pressure means shoppers will always choose the cheapest delivery option available,” continued Murphy. “Our data suggests the opposite. Delivery has become part of the product experience. Consumers may be buying fewer items, but they are increasingly willing to invest in services that help them receive those purchases more quickly and with greater confidence.”
International delivery volumes fell by almost 26% year-on-year, potentially reflecting continued caution around cross-border purchases and the higher costs often associated with international fulfilment.
For retailers, the findings reinforce the importance of offering delivery choice rather than relying on a single fulfilment proposition.
“As competition intensifies, retailers need to recognise that delivery is no longer simply an operational function. It’s a customer experience channel and a loyalty driver. The retailers that give consumers the right balance of speed, convenience and flexibility will be best placed to win repeat business,” concluded Murphy.
