Hassle-free international shipping: how to integrate local courier services for each market?

Did you know that a customer in Poland prefers picking up their parcel from a locker, while one in Germany expects doorstep delivery? Or that in the US, ultra-fast shipping options can be the deciding factor between a completed purchase and an abandoned cart?

Each market has its own unwritten rules, and failing to adapt to them can knock you out of the game before you even start to scale. The solution? Integrating a multi-carrier delivery system that lets you offer the most efficient shipping options for every region.

Why should you adapt your delivery strategy to each market?

An inefficient delivery strategy can quickly ruin a business—even when the product is in high demand. Why? Because consumer expectations vary greatly from one region to another, and a rigid delivery model can lead to high cart abandonment rates, customer frustration, and negative reviews.

One of the main reasons customers abandon their shopping carts is the lack of convenient delivery options. Studies show that:

• 56% of shoppers abandon their cart if delivery times are too long; [1]
• 45% of consumers expect delivery within a maximum of 2 days; [2]
• 85% of customers say a poor delivery experience negatively impacts their trust in the brand. [3]

An effective delivery strategy must be dynamic and tailored to each market. This means being able to work with multiple carriers so you can choose the best one for every order.

Here’s why a multi-carrier approach makes a difference:

• Lower delivery costs: Selecting the optimal courier based on route and price helps maintain competitive rates;
• Faster delivery times: A multi-carrier model allows you to choose the fastest courier for each delivery area;
• More delivery options: From standard home delivery to lockers or pickup points, each market has its own preferences;
• Higher conversion rates: When customers can decide from more delivery options, they’re more likely to complete their purchase.

Main Delivery Types and Consumer Preferences Across Different Markets

Each country has its own logistical particularities that shape consumer preferences when it comes to delivery options:

Home delivery – the preferred standard in developed markets

In developed markets, home delivery remains the dominant choice. Consumers in these regions have high expectations for speed, predictability, and flexibility. They want products delivered right to their doorstep and value having control over when and how deliveries take place.

Western Europe: Fast Delivery and Premium Options

France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands

Consumers in these countries are used to efficient, fast delivery services, with Amazon Prime setting a new benchmark for same-day and next-day delivery.

• most shoppers are willing to pay extra for fast delivery (Next Day Delivery); [4]
• in many Western European cities, couriers allow customers to schedule specific delivery time slots or redirect parcels to pickup points if they’re not home;
• a growing number of consumers are choosing eco-friendly delivery options, prompting retailers to implement consolidated shipping to reduce carbon footprints.

Key couriers in Western Europe include:

• DHL Express, DPD, GLS, Hermes – for fast, reliable delivery services;
• Amazon Logistics – for same-day or next-day delivery, depending on the location.

This kind of flexibility and speed has become a baseline expectation in many Western European markets—brands that fail to meet it risk losing out to more agile competitors.

USA: ultra-fast delivery and the rising popularity of lockers

United States

The U.S. market is defined by ultra-fast delivery and a growing preference for contactless delivery, shaped by the country’s vast geography and the sharp contrast between urban and rural areas.

• same-day and 1–2 day delivery is the norm: services like Amazon Prime, Walmart+, and Target are setting high expectations for extremely fast delivery, catering to consumer demand for speed and convenience.
• urban logistics are highly advanced: in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, independent couriers are increasingly used to handle rapid deliveries, especially for high-demand products.
• rural areas present unique challenges: outside major metropolitan zones, delivery times are typically longer and rely heavily on national carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS.

Key carriers in the U.S. include:

• FedEx, UPS, USPS – for fast, reliable nationwide delivery;
• Amazon Logistics – for Same Day and Next Day delivery in large cities.

Lockers and pickup points – a growing trend

In many markets, home delivery is still the norm. However, lockers and pickup points are becoming increasingly popular—especially in regions where consumers value flexibility, lower costs, and enhanced security. This growing trend is driven by the rapid pace of e-commerce, urbanization, and the need for more efficient logistics. Retailers who integrate lockers and pickup solutions into their offering can lower delivery costs, increase conversion rates, and improve the overall customer experience.

Eastern Europe: the locker network boom

Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary

In Eastern Europe, parcel lockers have quickly become the preferred delivery method due to their convenience and efficiency. Services like InPost in Poland and easybox in Romania have transformed the market by allowing consumers to pick up parcels anytime—without relying on courier schedules.

Popular locker networks include:

• InPost (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary) – over 30,000 locker units installed. [5]
• easybox by Sameday (Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria) – a rapidly expanding network.
• Z-Box (Czech Republic, Slovakia) – part of the Packeta ecosystem.

Nordic countries: lockers thrive on convenience and security

Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland

In the Nordics, lockers are highly valued, especially in rural areas where long distances make home delivery less efficient. That’s why offering multiple delivery options is essential in these markets. [6]

Examples of locker and pickup networks in the Nordics:

• PostNord Collect (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway) – extensive pickup point coverage across the region.
• Budbee Box (Sweden, Finland, Netherlands) – a sustainability-focused locker service.
• Instabox (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands) – rapid delivery to smart lockers.

By understanding these regional trends, businesses can tailor their delivery strategies to meet customer expectations—driving satisfaction and staying competitive in diverse markets.

China: lockers are everywhere in major cities

Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou

China is one of the most advanced eCommerce markets in the world, and the sheer volume of online orders has made lockers not just a convenience—but a necessity. With millions of packages moving daily, automated delivery solutions ensure speed, efficiency, and scalability.

Popular locker networks in China include:

• Cainiao Lockers (Alibaba Group) – part of the vast logistics ecosystem powering Taobao and Tmall;
• JD Pick-up Lockers (JD.com) – managed by JD’s own logistics network, ensuring seamless integration and quick access.

Lockers are integrated into residential buildings, office complexes, and shopping centers, allowing consumers to pick up their packages with maximum flexibility.

Click & Collect – a staple of omnichannel retail

In omnichannel markets, Click & Collect isn’t just an alternative delivery option—it’s a powerful tool for increasing foot traffic in physical stores and boosting cross-sell opportunities.

UK and France: Click & Collect as an omnichannel strategy

United Kingdom, France

Click & Collect is already a well-established method in these countries, especially among large retailers who use it to drive in-store visits. Many consumers choose this option to avoid shipping fees and to pick up their orders on the same day.

Retailers successfully using Click & Collect include:

• Decathlon – offers Click & Collect at all its UK and French locations;
• Carrefour – the French supermarket giant combines Click & Collect with fast delivery services for greater customer convenience;
• Argos (UK) – a pioneer of the model, known for its fast and efficient in-store pickup system.

By integrating Click & Collect into their delivery strategy, retailers can meet evolving customer expectations while reinforcing their physical presence in a digital-first world.

How to integrate courier services tailored to each market?

Expanding an eCommerce business internationally isn’t just about accepting orders from other countries—success hinges on delivering efficiently while adapting to local consumer preferences. Without a well-optimized system, shipping costs can skyrocket, and customer experience can suffer due to slow deliveries or limited options.

The solution? Implementing a multi-carrier delivery software, automating route selection, and offering flexible checkout options. Platforms like Innoship turn this process into a competitive advantage, enabling you to quickly select the best couriers for each region and elevate your delivery strategy. 

Many eCommerce retailers make the mistake of depending on a single courier for all international shipments. This approach restricts customer choice and can lead to high costs or delivery delays if the logistics partner faces issues.

Benefits of a Multi-Carrier System:

• automatic selection of the most efficient courier based on cost and delivery time;
• reduced dependency on a single carrier, minimizing risks from delays or service outages;
• greater delivery flexibility, allowing you to quickly adapt to local market preferences.

Why Choose Innoship?

• seamlessly integrates multiple courier companies across different regions, giving you instant access to personalized delivery solutions;
• uses advanced algorithms to assign each order to the best courier based on price, speed, and reliability;
• allows performance testing and optimization, helping you fine-tune your logistics strategy over time.

Scaling an international eCommerce business means recognizing that delivery is not just an operational detail—it’s a strategic factor that directly impacts sales, customer satisfaction, and logistics costs.

• choosing a multi-carrier model with Innoship ensures maximum efficiency and optimized shipping expenses;
• automated route planning reduces delays and cuts logistics costs;
• more delivery options at checkout boost conversion rates and customer loyalty.

👉 Request a demo now!

Sources

[1] developer. “Study: 56% of Abandoned Carts Are Related to Delivery Concerns.” Multichannel Merchant, 26 July 2022, multichannelmerchant.com/press-releases/study-56-of-abandoned-carts-are-related-to-delivery-concerns/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
[2] Zahava Dalin-Kaptzan. “The Biggest Same Day Delivery Challenges, and How to Overcome Them – Bringg.” Bringg, 3 Aug. 2021, www.bringg.com/blog/delivery/same-day-delivery-challenges/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
[3] Dupuy, Julien. “85% of Online Shoppers Say That a Poor Delivery Experience Would Prevent Them from Ordering from That Online Retailer Again.” Ipsos, 11 May 2022, www.ipsos.com/en/ecommerce-marketplaces-delivery-experience. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
[4] Business Wire. “New Research Finds 65% of Consumers Willing to Pay More for Faster Deliveries.” Www.businesswire.com, 16 June 2021, www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210616005050/en/New-Research-Finds-65-of-Consumers-Willing-to-Pay-More-for-Faster-Deliveries.
[5] Brooks, Steve. “InPost Teams up with Aldi in Trial.” Enterprise Times, Mar. 2024, www.enterprisetimes.co.uk/2024/03/01/inpost-teams-up-with-aldi-in-trial/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
[6] Rozycki, Marek. Linkedin.com, 23 June 2022, www.linkedin.com/posts/mrozycki-lme_parcel-lockers-in-the-nordics-posten-norge-activity-6945663589990989824-zDR9. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.