AI Insight
A study published in the International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, conducted by Iowa State University researcher Micah Marzolf and colleagues, analyzed over a decade of U.S. shopping data to examine how demand for last-mile delivery services has changed over time. The research finds that home delivery usage remains sharply divided by geography, with urban consumers consistently more reliant on home delivery than their rural counterparts. This divide reflects structural differences in logistics infrastructure, population density, and access to e-commerce fulfillment networks across different regions of the country.
Why it matters
Understanding the geographic disparity in last-mile delivery access has direct implications for logistics planning, retail equity, and rural economic policy, as underserved communities may face compounding disadvantages in accessing the cost and convenience benefits of e-commerce. These findings could inform decisions by retailers, delivery carriers, and policymakers seeking to expand or optimize distribution networks.
New research shows that Americans’ use of home delivery continues to be split sharply along geographic lines, with shoppers in urban areas remaining more reliant on home delivery than rural households. In a new study published in the International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Iowa State University researcher Micah Marzolf and co-authors have analyzed more than a decade of shopping data to better understand how demand for last‑mile fulfillment services in the U.S. has evolved over time.
Source: America's last-mile delivery divide: How geography has shaped the nation's shift to online shopping