Merchants Plan Same-Day Delivery Push This Holiday

DHL's 2026 eCommerce Trends Report identifies 10 trends shaping U.S. online shopping this holiday season.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Spending

Isometric editorial illustration of plain kraft shipping boxes on a steel roller conveyor, one box slightly out of line, beside an empty cargo container doorway. — DHL's 2026 eCommerce Trends Report finds 66% of U.S. shoppers abandon purchases when delivery offerings fall short, while 57% want same-day or faster delivery within five years. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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DHL released its 2026 DHL eCommerce Trends Report, identifying 10 trends for U.S. e-commerce this holiday season. Ninety-three percent of merchants run special promotions during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Why it matters

The findings point to a widening gap between what shoppers expect and what merchants offer, particularly around delivery and product availability. Retailers that miss these expectations risk losing purchases at checkout.

Eighty-three percent of merchants say shoppers completely or mostly trust seasonal offers and prices, up from 77% in the 2025 U.S. findings. Sixty-eight percent of U.S. shoppers say they abandon purchases when products are out of stock, and the report does not specify the sample size behind these figures.

The players

DHL

DHL is a global logistics company that publishes annual eCommerce research on shopping and delivery trends.

The details

The report says 66% of U.S. shoppers abandon purchases when delivery offerings fall short of expectations, while only 48% of merchants cite delivery as a reason. Fifty-seven percent of shoppers want same-day or faster delivery and returns within five years, and 40% want real-time inventory updates and back-in-stock alerts.

Over the next 12 months, merchants plan to prioritize same-day and next-day delivery and invest in tracking.
Over the next five years, shoppers and merchants expect growth in same-day delivery and Black Friday sales.

Market Landscape

The report extends DHL's annual eCommerce Trends series, which has tracked how shopper expectations for speed and availability reshape retail logistics. The 2026 findings suggest merchants are now competing more on delivery speed and inventory visibility than on promotions alone.

Shoppers who value fast delivery may see more same-day options at checkout as merchants prioritize them over the next year. Expect promotions during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, since 93% of merchants plan to run them.

The takeaway

Compare delivery times and stock status before buying, since many shoppers abandon carts when those details disappoint. Watching for same-day options can help holiday shoppers avoid last-minute shipping costs.