In a survey of Russian online retailers conducted by the urban delivery service Darkstore at Home, the closing days of the year are seen as a stress test for delivery networks. Many retailers expect demand to surge while winter conditions complicate courier work. About two-thirds of the stores surveyed encourage customers to choose gifts by December 24 to ensure delivery before the New Year. Socialbites.ca reviewed these findings from that study.
Across the board, more than two-thirds of Russians plan to buy gifts online (67%) and through marketplaces (73%). When compared with December of the previous year, the share of shoppers intending to purchase gifts online has risen notably. The majority also prefer to receive orders by selecting a delivery to a pickup point, home, or office.
Polling revealed that more than a third (35%) of respondents intend to buy gifts two or three days before the New Year, with 6% planning a last-minute purchase.
Retailers emphasized that ordering gifts with delivery by December 24 is prudent, as it helps avoid potential receipt problems, with 92% urging customers to place orders at least a week in advance and 44% suggesting two weeks ahead. At least half of the retailers noted delivery failures during the final pre-holiday days.
According to the surveyed retailers, three drivers lead to delivery failures during the New Year period: rising demand (60%), adverse weather (56%), and courier shortages (48%).
“December, especially the last week, marks the busiest period for delivery services. Orders spike roughly 70% above the monthly average, and this surge comes with more cancellations, rescheduled deliveries, missed deadlines, or even damaged goods in transit. This year, Moscow and St. Petersburg faced particularly harsh cold and icy conditions that intensified the challenge. To receive online purchases on time, orders should be placed early, and setting a delivery date after December 26 is not recommended,” commented Kirill Chekanov, co-founder of Darkstore at Home.
Chekanov also cautioned about the risk of overpaying for last-mile logistics, the courier path from warehouse to door, for customers who order in the final days of the year.
“Last-mile delivery is typically not included in the item price and is charged at ordering time, greatly affecting the final cost for those needing urgent delivery. For shoppers planning last-minute purchases, marketplace orders can provide a useful safeguard for timely arrival. Marketplace delivery costs are often fixed for end users, which can help reduce overall costs,” he explained.
Expensive items such as household appliances and electronic devices are expected to dominate express deliveries during the New Year holidays, as the labeling and handling for these items do not push the delivery time as aggressively as for cheaper goods.
Russians have also explored ways to evoke a sense of celebration ahead of the New Year, highlighting how shopping habits shift with the season and how logistics networks adjust to meet heightened demand.