Ecommerce Firms Embrace Logistics Subscriptions Multicarrier Strategies for 2025

A DHL eCommerce report highlights logistics subscriptions and multi-carrier strategies as crucial for e-commerce businesses to succeed in the 2025 peak season. Logistics subscriptions enhance customer loyalty, while multi-carrier partnerships diversify risk and optimize service. Emerging trends like out-of-home delivery are also important. Businesses need to stay ahead of market changes to stand out in the competitive e-commerce landscape. Focusing on these key areas will allow businesses to improve their customer experience and adapt to the changing demands of the market.

The e-commerce industry is becoming increasingly competitive, especially during peak seasons. Standing out and gaining market share has become a critical challenge for every online retailer. Logistics, once considered merely a cost center, has emerged as a strategic differentiator in customer acquisition and operational efficiency.

A recent report from DHL eCommerce, titled "2025 E-Commerce Trends Report: Business Edition," identifies two key strategies for B2B and B2C sellers preparing for peak seasons: logistics subscription services and multi-carrier partnerships. Based on a survey of 4,050 e-commerce sellers across various sizes and types, the report provides valuable insights into current industry trends and future directions.

Industry Challenges and Opportunities: Free Shipping as Standard, Personalization as Differentiator

Amid global geopolitical challenges, the e-commerce sector faces unprecedented pressures from rising material costs, increased shipping expenses, and supply chain instability. However, these challenges coexist with opportunities for innovation and resilience.

"Facing global geopolitical challenges, U.S. online retailers have demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation," said Scott Ashbaugh, CEO of DHL eCommerce Americas. "Our research shows businesses are doubling down on what matters most: free shipping, transparent pricing, and AI-driven personalization. In today's dynamic e-commerce environment, agility, customer trust, and smart technology drive success."

Free Shipping: The New Baseline

Free shipping has become table stakes in e-commerce, with consumer expectations reaching new heights. Retailers unable to offer this risk losing potential customers. However, the cost pressure requires careful balancing through strategies like:

Minimum order thresholds for free shipping
Strategic price adjustments
Value-added service bundles

Transparent Pricing: Building Trust

With price transparency across platforms, competitive pricing alone isn't sufficient. Retailers must combine fair pricing with quality assurance, robust return policies, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to build lasting customer trust.

AI-Powered Personalization: The Experience Advantage

Advanced AI enables hyper-personalized shopping experiences through:

Behavior-based product recommendations
Location-aware services
Intelligent customer support

Logistics Subscriptions: The Retention Powerhouse

The report reveals that 52% of respondents offer product subscriptions, while 14% provide shipping and return subscriptions - a proven strategy for boosting repeat purchases and brand visibility.

"Logistics subscriptions eliminate friction and add value for frequent shoppers," explained Ryan Hunter, Global Chief Commercial Officer at DHL eCommerce. "When 80% of shoppers abandon carts without preferred shipping options, subscriptions become a natural solution to meet expectations and maintain engagement."

Subscription Benefits

Simplified checkout experience
Increased brand loyalty
Higher repeat purchase rates
Additional revenue streams

Implementation Best Practices

Successful subscription models require:

Competitive pricing tiers
Compelling value propositions
Reliable fulfillment

Multi-Carrier Strategy: Risk Mitigation and Service Optimization

The report shows 43% of businesses work with three or more logistics providers, increasing to 57% among large enterprises. Additionally, 87% regularly review their shipping partners, with 80% finding it relatively easy to switch providers.

"With 96% of businesses recognizing logistics as critical to sales, companies mitigate risk through multiple providers and optimize performance through regular reviews," Hunter noted. "Logistics has become a strategic lever rather than a fixed cost, with businesses adapting quickly to meet expectations for speed, reliability and cost."

Strategic Advantages

Reduced supply chain risk
Service quality optimization
Cost efficiency gains
Operational flexibility

B2B vs. B2C Returns: Understanding the Disparity

The report identifies a 16% return rate for B2B transactions compared to 13% for B2C, attributed to:

Bulk purchasing complexities
Specialized product specifications
Extended supply chains
Cross-border compliance challenges

"Commercial buyers expect precision - any deviation can trigger returns," Hunter observed. "Operational factors like longer supply chains and cross-border shipping increase risks of damage or compliance errors, unlike B2C returns which often relate to sizing or preferences that better product information can mitigate."

Last Mile Innovation: The Rise of Out-of-Home Delivery

Forty percent of retailers now consider out-of-home (OOH) delivery points a key factor in carrier selection, reflecting growing consumer demand for flexibility and convenience.

OOH Delivery Benefits

Improved delivery success rates
Reduced last-mile costs
Enhanced customer convenience

"OOH solutions support sustainability through consolidated deliveries while meeting growing expectations for convenient, eco-friendly options," said Henning Gaudszuhn, DHL's VP of Out-of-Home and Returns. "With over 150,000 global access points, we're enabling retailers to satisfy these demands."

Strategic Recommendations for 2025

To compete effectively, e-commerce businesses should:

Implement logistics subscription programs
Develop multi-carrier networks
Expand OOH delivery options
Strengthen B2B quality controls
Optimize supply chain architecture
Leverage emerging technologies
Establish robust logistics management systems
Conduct regular carrier performance reviews

Future Outlook: E-Commerce Logistics Trends

The industry is moving toward:

AI-driven intelligent logistics
Automated warehouse and delivery systems
Sustainable packaging and transportation
Personalized delivery experiences
Seamless global fulfillment networks

As competition intensifies, logistics transformation will separate market leaders from followers. The DHL report provides a roadmap for retailers to turn logistical challenges into competitive advantages during peak seasons and beyond.