2025 and beyond: side hustle economy and digital delivery revolution CouriersPlease CEO forecasts

Following a transformative year for the online shopping and the growing appetite for personalised convenience, the CEO of Australia’s fastest-growing franchised courier service, CouriersPlease, Richard Thame forecasts side hustles, cutting-edge digital delivery, seamless returns, and regional expansions will redefine E-Commerce and parcel delivery sector in 2025.

He points to the surge in Australians leveraging platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Shopify, where creative entrepreneurs can launch businesses with minimal startup costs, with Shopify taking social commerce to the next level by recently integrating TikTok Shop to enable in-app shopping.[4]

Off the back of continued growth of E-Commerce giants Temu and Shein,[5] Richard forecasts a major shift toward digital-first delivery in 2025, with real-time tracking and priority services at the forefront.

Furthermore, Richard predicts the resale commerce trend will surge locally following growing appetite for sustainable second-hand fashion. While platforms like Vinted, a major player in Europe where users buy and sell pre-loved clothing, lead the charge internationally, Australian alternatives like Bushpop[6] and SwapUp[7] are gaining traction.

Richard Thame’s 7 trends shaping E-Commerce and parcel deliveries in 2025 and beyond:

Side hustle economy booms

Australians will increasingly turn to E-Commerce side hustles to supplement incomes, driving demand for flexible logistics solutions like CouriersPlease’s CPDirect platform to support their growing ventures. Research has found that 38 per cent of Aussies are considering starting a side hustle alongside their existing job in the next five years, with 68 per cent motivated by the potential to earn extra income.[9]

Digital-first delivery

Retail and carrier digital integrations will continue to be enhanced. Customers should expect to see more than real-time tracking, proactive updates and day-specific delivery windows that align with hybrid work schedules as consumers prioritise control and convenience.

Resale commerce takes off

With Australia’s fast-fashion consumption under scrutiny, resale commerce will rise as more shoppers opt for second-hand options.

Regional expansion for metro-level convenience

As regional areas grow off the back of Australians being priced out of capital cities amid property price hikes,[10] city-level delivery services will ramp up for regional Australians, creating more franchise opportunities in the industry and supporting local economies.

Sustainability front and centre

In response to consumer demand for eco-friendly practices, major retailers and delivery services will deepen their commitment to green logistics. We’ll see accelerated investments in eco-friendly facilities, optimised delivery routes to reduce emissions, green-rated warehouses, and green-procurement policies.



Seamless returns and PUDO options

Next year will see a major shift towards hassle-free, flexible returns. As consumers increasingly value simplicity and efficiency, logistics providers will ramp up partnerships with local businesses to expand Pick-Up and Drop-Off (PUDO) networks, allowing customers to return items at convenient spots like cafes, pharmacies, and parcel lockers. CouriersPlease is leading this shift with its fast-growing CP PUDO network, in partnership with HUBBED, which already spans over 2,800 locations nationwide, making e-commerce returns easier than ever before.”

Factory-first shopping

Driven by online platforms, the trend of shopping direct enables entrepreneurs to sell directly to consumers, cutting out traditional retail middlemen and streamline the buying process. A recent CouriersPlease survey of 1000 Australian online shoppers found that 71 per cent had made a purchase through Amazon and 55 per cent through Temu in the September 2024 quarter.

ENDS

About CouriersPlease

CouriersPlease is Australia’s fastest growing franchised courier and parcel delivery service, providing shipping solutions for E-Commerce retailers and traders across the nation. Celebrating 40 years of success in 2023, CouriersPlease continues to experience exponential year-on-year growth and is the trusted courier partner for Australia’s leading retail brands through its independent Franchise Partners and network affiliates. CouriersPlease is a multi-award-winning courier service, receiving a 5 Star rating on the FRANData Franchise Rating Scale and winning the NORA (National Online Retailers Association) Solution Partners Best Carrier Award in 2023. With 800+ active franchise territories and 400 support staff across 18 depot locations, CouriersPlease is committed to upholding its company values of Safety, Trust, Total Customer, One Team, Top Execution and Transformation. Visit couriersplease.com.au

[1]  Selected Living Cost Indexes, Australia, December 2024.
[2]  Half of Aussies eye side hustles
[3]  Australian report finds the changing nature of work provides new opportunities for workplace gender equality
[4]  TikTok Shopping: Everything You Need To Know To Start Selling (2024) – Shopify Australia
[5]  Temu & Shein’s Australian customer base keeps growing – as more Australians continue to trade down in the first half of 2024 in response to the cost-of-living crisis – Roy Morgan Research
[6]  🇦🇺 The Fashion Marketplace: Buy & Sell Online with BUSHPOP
[7]  Shop Secondhand Clothes at #1 Online Thrift Store Australia
[8]  eCommerce Insights | ECDB.com
[9]  Factors Driving Small Business Start-Ups in Australia
[10]  Escaping the rat race and rental rut of city life, millennials are on the move again