Online Shopping Surge and Logistics Demands
The Buen Fin 2025 sales and the end-of-year season present one of the biggest logistical challenges for major Mexican cities, driven by the growth in e-commerce and the expectation of faster deliveries.
According to Ilan Epelbaum, CEO of Mail Boxes Etc., the country’s ability to meet this demand depends on three key factors: efficiency in parcel and courier services, port performance, and synchronization between inventory, routes, and cutoff times.
Key Strategies for Meeting Demand
- Proximity of Inventory: Having inventory in urban hubs is crucial for same-day deliveries. It’s not enough to have it within the country; it needs to be accessible for timely local deliveries.
- Multiple Departure Windows: Expanding the number of delivery windows can help manage the increased demand and ensure timely deliveries.
Consumer Behavior Drives Logistics Transformation
The consumer behavior shift has transformed logistical operations. According to Capital One Shopping Research, 56% of consumers aged 18-34 expect same-day deliveries, while 74% consider it normal to receive their orders in less than two days.
However, the e-commerce growth rate outpaces delivery capacity. Courier and parcel companies face limitations in vehicles, personnel, and distribution centers.
Logistics Sector vs E-commerce Occupation
CBRE consultancy data shows that the logistics sector led industrial warehouse occupation in Mexico’s Valley by the end of Q2 2025, with 69% of commercialized space. E-commerce accounted for the remaining 31%.
The available industrial inventory barely reaches 1.5%, with 181,782 square meters vacant, primarily concentrated in the Zumpango-AIFA and Tultitlán corridors.
Bridging the Gap Between Promise and Reality
For Epelbaum, the challenge is not just technological but also about proximity and execution:
- Inventory Proximity: Meeting same-day delivery promises requires having inventory physically close to buyers. Additional kilometers translate into hours if the product is in another city or a peripheral warehouse.
- Port and Distribution Coordination: Achieving same-day deliveries in Mexico is possible but requires coordination among all links, from shipment planning to the final courier delivering the package.
Epelbaum also highlighted that entry and distribution nodes are critical. Official data shows a significant increase in cargo movement at Mexican ports during the last quarter of the year, reflecting the rise in imports to meet seasonal demand.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What factors contribute to the logistical challenges during Buen Fin 2025?
A: The main factors are the efficiency of parcel and courier services, port performance, and synchronization between inventory, routes, and cutoff times. - Q: How has consumer behavior impacted logistics operations?
A: Consumers now expect faster deliveries, with 56% wanting same-day deliveries and 74% considering it normal to receive orders in less than two days. - Q: Why is the logistics sector facing capacity issues?
A: The rapid growth of e-commerce outpaces the expansion of courier and parcel companies’ vehicles, personnel, and distribution centers. - Q: What strategies can help meet the rising demand for immediate deliveries?
A: Strategies include having inventory in urban hubs and expanding departure windows for timely deliveries.
