It seems that Brits are not the most organised nation, and when it comes to summer, last-minute habits increase. In line with soaring demand for last-minute holidays, so are searches for ‘next day delivery’, hitting a huge 634K over the past month in the UK.
As people start to panic order swimwear and summer clothes, a new study from last-minute holiday experts at Travel Republic has revealed the last-minute habits Brits are most guilty of and one of those is spending over £90 million a year on next-day delivery…
Last-minute ordering is costing Brits over £90.5 million a year
Just over 1 in 4 Brits (26%) admit to using next-day delivery for a panic order, and with this premium service costing an average of £6.42 each time, this can stack up to a whopping £90,464,701.50 each year – and that’s just if each person ordered once, which we all know is rarely the case.
According to historical Google search data, after December, the second-biggest peak in demand for next-day delivery is July. This is likely due to the peak in holidays and more often than not, a need for a whole new wardrobe for the trip.
TikTok’s ‘panic order’ trend sheds light on next-day delivery demand as views hit over 27 million
On TikTok, content under hashtags like #panicorder and #holidayhaul is booming, with Brits documenting their frantic pre-holiday shopping sprees, and #nextdaydelivery amassing over 27 million views.
These TikToks often follow the same chaotic pattern: a holiday booked spontaneously, followed by a flood of orders for swimwear, toiletries, and travel gadgets. Many creators confess to relying entirely on next-day delivery, with captions like “Booked 2 days ago… praying my bikinis arrive in time ” or “The night before my flight and I’ve just realised I own 0 summer clothes.”
This wave of relatable content reinforces what the data already shows — last-minute culture is thriving, and next-day delivery has become an essential part of the modern travel checklist, not just a luxury.
Experts give 5 tips to avoid costly next-day delivery before your holiday
The last-minute holiday experts at Travel Republic recommend the following tips for avoiding the cost (and anxiousness) from panic buying online:
Plan a ‘pre-pack’ list the moment you book – As soon as you confirm your holiday, jot down a checklist of must-haves – from passport and plug adapters to swimwear and SPF. This makes it easier to spot what you already own and what you actually need to buy.
Shop your wardrobe first – You don’t need a new outfit for every day – chances are, last summer’s staples are still in style.
Set a ‘delivery deadline’ – Give yourself a hard cut-off, for example, no online shopping less than five days before travel. This encourages early buying and gives room for standard shipping.
Use click & collect – If you’re running tight on time, choose click & collect over next-day home delivery. It’s often cheaper, more reliable, and avoids the dreaded “sorry we missed you” note.
Book late, pack smart – If you do book a last-minute break, think capsule wardrobe. Choose pieces that work in multiple settings; a few versatile pieces packed quickly can eliminate the temptation for a panic delivery spree.
