Forecasts for the peak parcel season

The end of impulse buying? A new consumer mindset

On the other hand, lower inflationary pressure and rising wages are reshaping spending patterns. Polish consumers can now allocate a larger share of their budgets to premium categories and entertainment, rather than focusing solely on basic needs. Paradoxically, although we are still tightening our belts, we are doing so in a more refined way, with greater emphasis on value, convenience and transparency.

Lower levels of impulse purchases mean a more even distribution of volumes throughout the year and higher expectations regarding service quality, not just delivery price. This signals to e-commerce players that competition is shifting from pricing to customer experience 
- says Andrzej Gałdecki, Head of Key Accounts at DPD Polska.

Shopping categories: fashion, home and technology

Fashion – clothing and footwear – remains the most popular category, recording strong growth this year estimated at 25 percent. Home equipment – including electronics, household appliances and furniture – as well as the hobby category follow next. Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics are also generating dynamic year-on-year growth.

The year-end surge in e-commerce is driven primarily by the home, technology and hobby segments. In the final days of the year, intensive sales can again be expected in the fashion segment, which historically generates the highest shipment volumes during the holiday season.

Influencers and user-generated content: authenticity above all

The smartphone is now the main tool used for shopping. A mobile-optimised store, responsive design and fast checkout are no longer competitive advantages but absolute necessities.

The role of AI and chatbots in product search, offer comparison and personalised recommendations is growing. Offer personalisation is becoming standard, and among top e-commerce players an increasing share of traffic is generated through mobile apps that offer a high level of personalisation and refined customer experience
- adds Andrzej Gałdecki.

Social commerce is expanding. More and more retailers offer direct purchases through social platforms, and Polish consumers are increasingly using this channel. Faster development of this sales path depends on gaining full buyer trust in transaction security and clear procedures for complaints and returns.

User-generated content, reviews and opinions from regular customers are also gaining importance. Consumers trust products more when they see them used by someone they can identify with, rather than by paid brand ambassadors. As a result, brands are investing increasingly in building authentic communities around their products rather than relying solely on spectacular advertising campaigns.

Parcel lockers and delivery transparency: what consumers expect

Consumers seek solutions that combine convenience and delivery predictability with low cost. Therefore parcel lockers and pickup points lead in delivery-method preferences. At the same time, for higher-value products in categories such as home equipment or technology, interest in direct-to-address delivery remains strong.

Equally important is full transparency of the delivery and returns process and the ability to track shipment status in real time, both online and in mobile apps. Data shows that consumers check shipment status an average of more than three times per order. This reflects rising demand for control and certainty in the purchasing process.

DPD Polska addresses these expectations through continuous development of its network, which now includes nearly 12,000 parcel lockers and a total of 32,000 delivery points – the most accessible network of its kind in Poland. At the same time, we are improving the DPD Mobile app, which continues to grow in popularity, evidenced by 10 million downloads, and ranks among the top utility apps on both Android and iOS
- adds Andrzej Gałdecki.