A customer orders groceries online and a van arrives at the doorstep the same afternoon with the bags. That service is home delivery. It moves the final step of retail from the store to the customer’s address.

Delivery can be provided by the retailer, a third-party logistics company, or gig-economy drivers. Time windows, temperature control for perishables, and contactless options have become standard expectations. Fees and minimum order values help offset the cost. Failed deliveries and returns add complexity and expense.

Home delivery expanded rapidly with e-commerce and received a further boost from recent demand for contactless shopping. Retailers now treat reliable delivery as a core competitive capability rather than an optional extra. The customer’s front door has become an extension of the sales floor.

• Transport of purchased goods to the customer’s address
• Offered by retailers or third-party services
• Includes scheduled windows and special handling
• Now a standard expectation in many categories