In mid-2024, a notable rise appeared in door-to-door delivery orders, with activity up by about 20 percent compared with the same months in the prior year. The trend extended to warehouse-to-door deliveries as well, which climbed roughly 12 percent. This signals a broad move toward end-to-end convenience in urban logistics, shaping how people in major cities access goods and services. The data came from a study conducted by the SDEK service and reported by Socialbites.ca, reflecting a shift that resonates with similar patterns in North America as shoppers seek reliable, streamlined options for daily needs.
Experts attribute this shift to an unusual heatwave that affected central regions during late June and July. Persistent high temperatures, with daily readings often staying above 30°C in the capital, marked a growing departure from the prior year where summer heat rarely crossed that level. Anna Barsukova, head of the urban delivery products department at SDEK, notes that sustained heat acts as a strong driver for doorstep delivery. With intense sun and crowded outdoor spaces, many residents prefer services that bring items directly to homes or workplaces, reducing exposure to the heat and the effort needed to go out in hot conditions.
The practical rationale is straightforward: extreme heat makes outdoor activities uncomfortable and sometimes impractical for the elderly and those with mobility challenges. By shifting shopping and essential errands indoors, customers save energy while gaining access to a wide range of products and services. This pattern is not limited to Russia. Across the globe, including North America, delivery services have observed similar responses during heat waves, as households seek safer, more comfortable ways to obtain necessities without stepping into harsh weather. The result is a growing perception of door-to-door delivery as a dependable option for urban living, especially in hot seasons or densely populated areas where outdoor trips are challenging.
The study, completed at the end of July, highlights a broader consumer shift toward convenience, speed, and contactless transactions. It points to evolving expectations in fast-growing metropolitan areas where quick access to goods matters just as much as price. As urban centers expand and temperatures rise in many regions, delivery networks are increasingly tailoring their operations. Fleet deployment, routing, and digital interfaces are being optimized to support seamless doorstep options while maintaining safety and efficiency in busy city environments.
Separately, industry observers in the financial sector note rising interest in ready-to-eat food delivery within the capital region. The convergence of demand for quick-service options with a preference for indoor activities during heat spikes underscores a larger trend: people value flexible, home-based access to meals and essentials, particularly during peak summer periods and in dense urban settings. The SDEK data, alongside broader market signals, points to a sustained emphasis on door-to-door and warehouse-to-door delivery as core components of modern city-life logistics. This evolution reflects consumer needs and the adaptive capacity of delivery networks to maintain service levels when weather challenges intensify [citation: Socialbites.ca].