Descartes’ Annual Ecommerce Study Shows Younger Consumers Driving Online Buying Growth - but 79% Have Experienced Delivery Problems
Descartes Systems Group (DSGX) has released its fourth annual ecommerce consumer sentiment study, revealing significant trends in online shopping behavior. The study shows that consumers aged 18-35 are leading ecommerce growth, with 43% of under-35s increasing their spending year-on-year, compared to 32% of over-65s. Notably, 44% of under-35s now make online purchases at least every two weeks, up from 33% last year.
However, delivery satisfaction remains a major challenge, with 79% of younger consumers reporting delivery problems, significantly higher than the 66% average across all age groups. The study, conducted by Descartes and SAPIO Research, surveyed 8,000 consumers in Europe and North America during Q1 2025, highlighting the critical need for improved delivery experiences to retain the valuable younger demographic.
Descartes Systems Group (DSGX) ha pubblicato il suo quarto studio annuale sul sentiment dei consumatori nell'ecommerce, evidenziando tendenze significative nel comportamento di acquisto online. Lo studio mostra che i consumatori tra i 18 e i 35 anni guidano la crescita dell'ecommerce, con il 43% degli under 35 che aumenta la spesa anno dopo anno, rispetto al 32% degli over 65. In particolare, il 44% degli under 35 effettua acquisti online almeno ogni due settimane, in crescita rispetto al 33% dell'anno precedente.
Tuttavia, la soddisfazione riguardo alla consegna rimane una sfida importante, con il 79% dei consumatori più giovani che segnala problemi di consegna, una percentuale significativamente superiore alla media del 66% di tutte le fasce d'età. Lo studio, condotto da Descartes e SAPIO Research, ha coinvolto 8.000 consumatori in Europa e Nord America nel primo trimestre del 2025, sottolineando l'importanza di migliorare le esperienze di consegna per fidelizzare questa preziosa fascia demografica più giovane.
Descartes Systems Group (DSGX) ha publicado su cuarto estudio anual sobre la percepción del consumidor en el comercio electrónico, revelando tendencias importantes en el comportamiento de compra online. El estudio indica que los consumidores entre 18 y 35 años lideran el crecimiento del ecommerce, con un 43% de menores de 35 años aumentando su gasto año tras año, en comparación con el 32% de mayores de 65. Destaca que el 44% de los menores de 35 realiza compras en línea al menos cada dos semanas, frente al 33% del año pasado.
Sin embargo, la satisfacción con la entrega sigue siendo un gran desafío, ya que el 79% de los consumidores jóvenes reporta problemas en la entrega, un porcentaje significativamente mayor que el promedio del 66% en todos los grupos de edad. El estudio, realizado por Descartes y SAPIO Research, encuestó a 8,000 consumidores en Europa y Norteamérica durante el primer trimestre de 2025, destacando la necesidad crítica de mejorar la experiencia de entrega para retener a este valioso segmento joven.
Descartes Systems Group (DSGX)는 네 번째 연례 전자상거래 소비자 심리 조사 결과를 발표하며 온라인 쇼핑 행동의 중요한 추세를 밝혔습니다. 조사에 따르면 18-35세 소비자들이 전자상거래 성장을 주도하고 있으며, 35세 미만의 43%가 전년 대비 지출을 늘린 반면, 65세 이상은 32%에 그쳤습니다. 특히 35세 미만의 44%가 최소 2주에 한 번 이상 온라인 구매를 하고 있으며, 이는 작년의 33%에서 증가한 수치입니다.
하지만 배송 만족도는 여전히 큰 과제로 남아 있으며, 젊은 소비자의 79%가 배송 문제를 보고해 전체 연령대 평균인 66%보다 훨씬 높습니다. Descartes와 SAPIO Research가 공동으로 진행한 이번 조사는 2025년 1분기 동안 유럽과 북미의 8,000명을 대상으로 실시되었으며, 젊은 층을 유지하기 위해 배송 경험 개선이 절실함을 강조합니다.
Descartes Systems Group (DSGX) a publié sa quatrième étude annuelle sur le sentiment des consommateurs en ecommerce, révélant des tendances importantes dans le comportement d'achat en ligne. L'étude montre que les consommateurs âgés de 18 à 35 ans sont à l'origine de la croissance du ecommerce, avec 43 % des moins de 35 ans augmentant leurs dépenses d'une année sur l'autre, contre 32 % des plus de 65 ans. Notamment, 44 % des moins de 35 ans effectuent désormais des achats en ligne au moins toutes les deux semaines, contre 33 % l'année dernière.
Cependant, la satisfaction concernant la livraison reste un défi majeur, avec 79 % des jeunes consommateurs signalant des problèmes de livraison, un taux nettement supérieur à la moyenne de 66 % toutes tranches d'âge confondues. L'étude, réalisée par Descartes et SAPIO Research, a interrogé 8 000 consommateurs en Europe et en Amérique du Nord au premier trimestre 2025, soulignant le besoin crucial d'améliorer l'expérience de livraison pour fidéliser cette précieuse clientèle jeune.
Descartes Systems Group (DSGX) hat seine vierte jährliche Studie zum Konsumentenvertrauen im E-Commerce veröffentlicht, die bedeutende Trends im Online-Kaufverhalten aufzeigt. Die Studie zeigt, dass Verbraucher im Alter von 18 bis 35 Jahren das Wachstum im E-Commerce anführen, wobei 43 % der unter 35-Jährigen ihre Ausgaben im Jahresvergleich erhöhen, verglichen mit 32 % der über 65-Jährigen. Bemerkenswert ist, dass 44 % der unter 35-Jährigen jetzt mindestens alle zwei Wochen online einkaufen, gegenüber 33 % im Vorjahr.
Die Zufriedenheit mit der Lieferung bleibt jedoch eine große Herausforderung, da 79 % der jüngeren Verbraucher von Lieferproblemen berichten, was deutlich über dem Durchschnitt von 66 % aller Altersgruppen liegt. Die von Descartes und SAPIO Research durchgeführte Studie befragte im ersten Quartal 2025 8.000 Verbraucher in Europa und Nordamerika und hebt die dringende Notwendigkeit hervor, die Liefererfahrungen zu verbessern, um die wertvolle jüngere Zielgruppe zu halten.
- 43% of under-35s increased their online spending year-on-year
- 44% of under-35s now make purchases every two weeks, up from 33% last year
- Younger demographic represents the main growth driver for ecommerce
- 79% of younger consumers experienced delivery problems
- Overall consumer satisfaction with delivery remains low at 66%
- 18% of overall consumers cut back on purchases
- Younger demographic reports higher percentage of negative delivery experiences than any other age group
Insights
Descartes' study reveals under-35 consumers drive e-commerce growth despite delivery dissatisfaction, highlighting opportunities for their logistics solutions.
Descartes' fourth annual e-commerce study reveals a significant market dynamic: despite overall slowing e-commerce growth, younger consumers (18-35) are emerging as the primary growth engine, with 43% increasing their online spending compared to just 32% of those over 65. This demographic is also shopping more frequently, with 44% making purchases at least every two weeks (up from 33% last year).
The most revealing insight is the delivery satisfaction gap: a substantial
This research strategically positions Descartes as a solution provider in a critical market pain point. For a company specializing in logistics technology, this data helps them demonstrate to potential clients (retailers and delivery partners) the urgent need for improved delivery experiences. The study effectively quantifies the business risk of poor delivery performance – specifically, the potential lifetime value loss from dissatisfied younger consumers who are otherwise increasing their online shopping habits.
The timing is particularly significant as the pandemic-driven e-commerce surge normalizes, forcing retailers to compete more on quality of experience rather than mere convenience. This research underscores Descartes' market understanding and positions their logistics solutions as addressing a documented business need rather than a hypothetical problem.
LONDON and ATLANTA, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, released findings from How Smarter Home Delivery Wins Younger Consumers as Online Buying Slows, its fourth annual consumer sentiment study of ecommerce home delivery. The study shows that, in a slower growing ecommerce market, consumers aged 18-35 (“under 35s”) are the biggest contributor to online growth, increasing both the volume and frequency of their purchases over the last 12 months compared to the prior year. While
Figure 1. Changes in online purchasing behavior
In addition, this year’s survey found that
Moreover, for each delivery problem detailed in the survey, under 35s reported a higher percentage of negative experiences than overall respondents (see Figure 2). Conversely, over 65s reported a lower percentage of negative experiences than all respondents. Not only is the younger demographic the cohort driving growth in online purchasing, it also appears to be the group with the highest expectations for positive delivery experiences.
Figure 2. Issues with home deliveries
“The bottom-line impact of negative delivery experiences remains a pressing concern for retailers and their delivery partners, especially with the pace of ecommerce growth steadying post-pandemic,” said Mavi Silveira, SVP Global Marketing at Descartes. “While small improvements in home delivery performance have been made over the past few years, they’re not currently reflecting the quality experience consumers are demanding, especially the valuable under 35 cohort, as poor delivery experiences risks the potential lifetime customer value of this demographic.”
Descartes and SAPIO Research surveyed 8,000 consumers in Europe and North America on their ecommerce buying behavior during the first three months of 2025. The goal was to gain a comprehensive view of the state of ecommerce and home delivery performance by understanding, for example, the reasons for increases or decreases in ecommerce purchases, the different types of goods purchased, the frequency of purchases, delivery preferences, delivery experiences and the impact of delivery failures on retailers and their delivery agents. The study also examines how consumer behaviors and perceptions vary across demographics. For the full report, read How Smarter Home Delivery Wins Younger Consumers as Online Buying Slows.
Learn more about Descartes’ Home Delivery Solutions and its Ecommerce Shipping & Fulfillment Solutions.
About Descartes
Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world’s largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Global Media Contact
Cara Strohack
Tel: 226-750-8050
cstrohack@descartes.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”) that relate to Descartes’ home delivery solution offerings and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, “Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results” in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada including Descartes’ most recently filed management’s discussion and analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77f81b2d-ddd8-48b8-974d-26698f3133a0
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FAQ
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