Same-day delivery services are expanding beyond Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to regional cities as carriers respond to growing consumer expectations.
Service Expansions
New Markets
- Gold Coast: Multiple providers now active
- Newcastle: Same-day options from major retailers
- Canberra: Service coverage expanding
- Geelong: Limited same-day now available
Carrier Initiatives
- DoorDash Drive: Retail delivery partnerships expanding
- Uber Connect: Same-day parcel service growth
- Sherpa: Regional market trials underway
- Traditional carriers: Premium same-day tiers introduced
Enabling Factors
Expansion driven by:
- Regional distribution centre investments
- Gig economy driver availability
- Technology platform maturation
- Retailer competitive pressure
Operational Models
Services typically operate via:
- Store-based fulfilment for retailers
- Micro-fulfilment centres for pure-play e-commerce
- Cross-dock facilities for carrier networks
- Crowd-sourced delivery for on-demand
Challenges Remaining
Regional same-day faces:
- Lower population density economics
- Driver availability in smaller markets
- Higher per-delivery costs
- Limited retailer participation
The trend suggests same-day is evolving from premium novelty to expected service option in more markets.