Delivery options and free returns highly important to Asia Pacific’s online shoppers, finds DHL eCommerce global survey
- Written by Media Outreach
- Online shoppers in the region expect to have more flexible and convenient delivery options, with a preference for home delivery
- Survey respondents claim quicker delivery times and real-time tracking tend to improve their online shopping experience
- Fear of fraud is a barrier of cross-border online purchase
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Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce said, "Asia Pacific consumers are driving demand for cross-border shopping like never before. This means that there is a tremendous opportunity for businesses to grow internationally if they sell and engage effectively. Specifically, with the rise of on-demand business models influencing today's digital shoppers, 'speed' and 'choice' are everything. By addressing key consumer concerns such as transparent delivery times, flexible returns, and fear of fraud, retailers can capture the growing market." Growing expectations around delivery times and real-time tracking As the online shopping landscape continues to evolve with the rise in social commerce, online consumers today do not lack options and seek more control over their purchases. They want to have multiple delivery options and the ability to track their parcels in real-time. More than two in three online shoppers in Asia Pacific agree that next-day delivery is important to them, with 74% in Thailand and 72% in India saying so. When it comes to delivery preferences, nine in 10 shoppers in India (89%), Malaysia (89%), and Thailand (94%) favor home delivery, reflecting a strong preference for convenience. However, the demand for alternative delivery options is also rising, especially when the item is already out for delivery. Most online purchasers claim it is important to have the option of re-directing their parcel to a safe place, neighbor, parcel locker, pick-up point or changing the delivery day as it enhances flexibility and convenience. Additionally, 86% of consumers in Asia Pacific expect end-to-end tracking on international orders, underscoring the need for real-time visibility and control in the delivery process. In fact, survey respondents from the region rate "quick delivery time" and "real-time tracking" as the top two factors key to improving their delivery experience. Free returns to serve as a competitive edge The Asia Pacific reverse logistics market size is predicted to be worth around USD 1,970 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 13.3% from 2024 to 2033, indicating a need to equally prioritize and enhance the returns experience for customers. The report notes that free returns are increasingly influencing Asia Pacific shoppers when deciding where to buy, as 43% of consumers in the region will only shop with retailers that offer free return options. India also tops the global chart for saying that free returns is the most important with 67% stating that they will only buy from online shops that provide free returns. On top of that, 67% of Asia Pacific online shoppers prefer that a return label is included in their parcel if they need to return an item. Thai and Indian shoppers, in particular, have a high expectation of this as 71% and 70% of them claim so. To stay ahead of the competition in a fast-changing cross-border e-commerce space, businesses must have flexible and cost-effective return policies if they want to build customer loyalty and encourage repeat purchases. Huge opportunity in international online shopping but fear of fraud needs to be addressed Digital payments are enabling online consumers to enjoy more seamless cross-border shopping experience. For businesses in the region, this presents a clear opportunity to expand into global markets by offering the products and services that international consumers are actively seeking. Across the Asia-Pacific region, close to four in five (76%) buy from online shops based in other countries at least once a month, and 30% do so at least once a week. India leads the world in cross-border purchases, with 38% of Indian shoppers making international purchases at least once a week. This trend is echoed across Malaysia (80%), Thailand (80%), China (75%), and Australia (75%), where a significant number of consumers also buy from overseas at least once a month. This frequency is expected to escalate with 37% of the respondents indicating that they will buy more online...