Fashion shipments dropped despite overall ecommerce volumes rising by more than 22%, according to new data from delivery management platform Scurri.
The findings, taken in April and May 2026, suggest consumers are becoming more selective about discretionary purchases, with fashion among the hardest-hit retail categories
Shipments in cosmetics, food & drink, toys, and gifting fell between 5% and 8%. Conversely, growth was evident in sectors linked to home and lifestyle. Homewares shipments were up 23%, tool & DIY shipments rose by 19%, pet & animal products increased 17%, and sports equipment shipments were 14% higher.
The findings show next-day delivery has become the preferred option for many, with its use rising 29% compared to the same period in the previous year. At the same time, the proportion of customers opting for standard delivery fell by 2.7%, and signature-required services also saw an increase, up nearly 13%. Scurri chief marketing officer Gavin Murphy said: “These figures point to an interesting shift in consumer behaviour.