Seasonal Peaks Drive 22% Surge in Q1 eCommerce Deliveries

Why It Matters

The surge confirms that eCommerce remains a growth engine, while the geographic and category shifts force retailers and logistics firms to rethink inventory placement and fulfillment speed to meet evolving consumer expectations.

Key Takeaways

• Q1 shipments hit 46.7 M, +22% YoY
• GMV rose €907 M (~$990 M) to €5 B (~$5.5 B)
• Toys, pet, homeware up 25%‑52%; gifting down 23%
• US shipments fell 21%; Germany up 40%
• Next‑day delivery now 33% of orders, +29% YoY

Pulse Analysis

The first quarter of 2026 marked a robust rebound for online retail, with Scurri reporting a 22% jump in delivery volumes compared with the same period last year. Seasonal moments such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day continued to act as catalysts, but the real engine of growth came from everyday categories—Toys, pet products, and homewares—all posting double‑digit gains. This diversification signals that consumers are allocating discretionary spend toward functional and lifestyle items rather than traditional gifts, a trend that could reshape merchandising strategies across the sector.

Geographically, the data reveals a pronounced pivot away from long‑haul international shipping toward closer‑to‑home fulfillment. While shipments to the United States dropped 21% and Canada fell 34%, European markets like Germany and Belgium posted growth of 40% and 28% respectively. The shift reflects heightened cost pressures, tighter delivery windows, and a retailer focus on reducing transit times. Logistics providers that can offer reliable domestic networks and flexible cross‑border solutions within Europe are likely to capture a larger share of the expanding eCommerce volume.

Speed remains a decisive factor for shoppers. Next‑day delivery now accounts for nearly one‑third of all preferred services, up almost 29% year‑over‑year, and weekend delivery options are gaining traction with a 17% rise. These preferences push retailers to invest in advanced fulfillment capabilities, such as distributed inventory and real‑time routing, to meet the demand for rapid, convenient service. As the eCommerce landscape becomes more nuanced, businesses that align inventory, transportation, and technology with these evolving consumer expectations will secure a competitive edge.