The eCommerce Peak Season 2025 is edging closer, a time where we expect more orders, tighter deadlines, and higher customer expectations. As a delivery partner we know that your success during peak hinges upon preparation, agility and operational resilience.
In this first blog of our annual Peak Series we’ll give you an overview of the key peak dates to be aware of, consumer shopping trends in 2025, and how these trends could guide your strategic planning for peak season.
Key Dates to Watch
Whilst you should certainly consider peak as an entire period spanning from now until the end of January, there are some dates that will cause an influx in sales. Let’s cut to the chase, these are:
· Halloween: Friday 31st October 2025
· Thanksgiving (USA): Thursday 27th November 2025
· Black Friday: Friday 28th November 2025
· Cyber Monday: Monday 1st December 2025
· The last-minute buyers: W/C Monday 15th December 2025
· Boxing Day Sales: Friday 26th December 2025
· January Sales: Thursday 1st January 2026
Recommended shipping dates
During the Peak shipments can take longer and it is likely there will be delays. To ensure shipments are cleared in time and arrive in their final destination before the end of the year we have some key shipping dates for you. See below for dates listed by zone.
Consumer trends in 2025
Consumers expect seamless, personalised and convenien tshopping experiences. To stay ahead, retailers and brands alike, must embraceemerging trends and adapt their digital strategy to stay aligned with ashifting eCommerce market.
A few bite-sized trends to consider are:
• Online shopping is here to stay: 2.77 billion people shop online globally as of 2025, meaning that 33% of the world’s population is hopping online. A 2.2% increase compared to 2024. 1
• Online retail purchases are growing: it is forecasted that 21% of retail purchases are to be made online in 2025. This percentage growing each year. 1
• The Global eCommerce market will hit $6.86 trillion: Growing at double the speed compared to physical stores. 1
• 28 million eCommerce sites worldwide: a 2.9% increase from the previous year. 1
• AI is powering smarter sales: AI-driven recommendations already influence 35% of eCommerce revenue, offering personalised product discovery that consumers now expect.²
• Returns are tied to loyalty: 84% of consumers say a poor returns process would stop them shopping with a retailer again, while 90% say a positive experience encourages repeat purchases.³
• Out-of-Home (OOH) delivery is booming: The global OOH delivery market is estimated at USD 28.83 billion in 2025, reflecting consumer demand for flexible, convenient options.⁴
What This Means for Online Retailers andBrands
With more shoppers online, more choice than ever, and higher expectations, 2025 peak is set to be both a challenge and an opportunity. Here’s how you can turn insights into action with these delivery partner peak season tips:
1. Start forecasting early: Anticipate a sustained peak season rather than a single surge. Share projections with fulfilment and delivery partners to avoid bottlenecks.
2. Embrace flexible delivery options: Offer Out-of-Home (OOH) delivery, tracked, untracked and provide other service options to meet convenience demands.
3. Optimise returns: A simple, transparent, and fast returns process can help shape customer loyalty and repeat purchases.
4. Leverage AI and personalisation: Use recommendation engines, targeted promotions, and predictive analytics to stay ahead of competitors.
5. Communicate transparently: Clearly publish cut-off dates, expected delivery windows, and any known disruptions to build trust.
6. Stay agile: Build contingency plans for supply chain issues, carrier delays, or sudden surges in demand. Or partner with a Multi-Carrier partner who has the agility and resiliency to navigate this for you.
Final Thoughts
Peak season in 2025 is not about bracing for one or two “big days” but managing a longer wave of sustained demand. Success will belong to retailers who prepare early, stay agile, and see delivery as part of the customer experience rather than just the last step of a transaction.
By collaborating closely with your delivery partner, forecasting accurately, and keeping the customer at the heart of every decision, you’ll not only sail through peak but also build loyalty well into the new year.
So, start preparing today—because peak is coming fast.
Sources:
1 Sellerscommerce-eCommerce Statistics In 2025(Global and U.S. Data) https://www.sellerscommerce.com/blog/ecommerce-statistics/
2 Found: 2025 eCommerce Marketing Trends
https://www.found.co.uk/blog/2025-ecommerce-marketing-trends/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3 Returns Pro- State of Consumer Returns
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66e4840793eefa46a54dbfc2/67eece02056f6d7ee03b5954_ReturnPro%20-%20The%20State%20of%20Consumer%20Returns%202025%20Survey%20Report.pdf
4 https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/out-of-home-delivery-market
