Across the first ten months of the year, online orders that relied on courier delivery surged dramatically, rising nearly thirteenfold versus the same period in 2021. This trend was highlighted in a DEA News report that referenced a study conducted by a major Russian financial institution.
The finding also showed a sharp shift in consumer behavior: shoppers increasingly chose courier services, with usage multiplying four times compared to in-store purchases.
According to the study, the total number of online orders with courier delivery from January through October 2022 climbed almost thirteen times compared with the corresponding period a year earlier.
The analysis drew on data from the retailer acquisition network for all purchases categorized under courier delivery during January to October 2022. Card payments from customers across all banks were included in the tally.
Industry observers noted a rise in risk as online shopping expands. A former analyst warned about schemes that target door-to-door deliveries, pointing to fraudulent activities involving clone sites of well-known online stores during peak sales periods.
Experts advise consumers to verify seller legitimacy, monitor payment confirmations, and exercise caution when prompted to share personal details for delivery, especially when deals seem unusually favorable. [CITATION: Russian Standard Bank study cited by DEA News]