- Nearly two thirds (65%) of consumers are only willing to travel up to 10 minutes to collect or drop off a parcel
- Almost half (46%) of 18–24-year-olds cite limited opening hours as a frustration, compared to just 25% of over-65s
- More than three quarters (77%) say convenient parcel drop-off is important when selling items online
Research from Collect+ reveals growing differences in how generations define convenience when it comes to parcel services, highlighting the increasing importance of large-scale, accessible delivery networks.
Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of UK consumers say they would only travel up to 10 minutes to collect or drop off a parcel, underlining the importance of having parcel services located close to where people live and work.
However, the research suggests convenience means different things to different generations. Almost half (46 per cent) of 18–24-year-olds say limited opening hours are one of their biggest frustrations when using parcel collection and drop-off services, compared to just a quarter (25 per cent) of those aged 65 and over.
The findings highlight the growing importance of extensive parcel networks that can offer both accessibility and flexibility. Location is the biggest frustration for 38 per cent of consumers using parcel collection and drop-off services, while nearly three quarters (73 per cent) say they have previously collected or returned a parcel at a local shop or convenience store.
Convenience is also becoming increasingly important as more consumers participate in online resale. More than three quarters (77 per cent) say convenient parcel drop-off is important when deciding whether to sell items online, rising to almost nine in ten (89 per cent) among 25–34-year-olds.
As consumer expectations continue to evolve, the findings suggest retailers and carriers will increasingly depend on large, well-connected out-of-home networks that can provide convenient access to parcel services at scale.
“Consumers increasingly expect parcel services to fit around their lives, but our research shows different generations prioritise different aspects of convenience,” said Sam Holden, Director of Parcels and E-Commerce at PayPoint. “Younger consumers are looking for flexibility and extended access, while older shoppers place greater value on proximity and ease of use.
“What this means for retailers and carriers is that scale matters. Consumers want parcel services to be available where and when they need them. Networks with broad national coverage and strong local density are best placed to meet those expectations."