Black Friday has become one of the most intense times of the year for any logistics and last-mile company. The surge in deliveries during Black Friday not only reflects the growth of e-commerce, but also the shift in our shopping habits: we want more products, faster, and with more delivery options.
In this article, we analyse why this period drives a spike in courier and fleet activity, the logistics challenges that arise, and how companies prepare to meet demand that—in many cases—doubles or even triples that of a typical month. We’ll also look at why electric motorbikes have become a key piece of the puzzle for urban deliveries during these dates.
Why Black Friday Is the Annual Peak for Deliveries
Black Friday marks the start of the Christmas season and concentrates, over just a few days, a large volume of purchases that used to be spread out over several weeks. This has a direct impact on logistics: more orders, more deliveries and more pressure on the last mile.
The rise of e-commerce
Many consumers wait for Black Friday to make purchases they’ve been putting off for weeks or months. On top of that is the rise of e-commerce: people are shopping online more and in physical stores less.
- Online stores roll out Black Friday-specific campaigns.
- Discounted categories expand: tech, fashion, groceries, mobility and more.
- Customers compare prices in real time and buy wherever they find the best deal and the best delivery service.
All of this translates into a sudden spike in the number of parcels that must be picked, packed, transported and delivered within very tight timeframes.
The pressure for ultra-fast deliveries
Customers no longer just want a good price—they expect very short delivery times, even during high-demand campaigns. Next-day, same-day, and time-slot deliveries are now the norm in many cities.
This time pressure turns the Black Friday delivery surge into a real operational challenge: every minute counts, and companies need tools that help them make the most of their resources.
The seasonality of consumer spending in November
Black Friday has become the date that kicks off the Christmas season. Many Christmas purchases are brought forward to take advantage of these deals, which means November carries increasing weight in the annual results of retailers and logistics companies.
This seasonal peak isn’t limited to a single day: it often stretches across several days or even weeks (Black Week, Cyber Monday, early promotions), forcing delivery companies to sustain very high activity levels for longer.
Logistics challenges companies face
Managing the Black Friday delivery surge properly requires anticipating a set of challenges that impact planning, staffing and fleet capacity.
Order overload and shorter deadlines
Logistics centres and warehouses see daily order volumes spike. This can create bottlenecks in:
- Order preparation processes (picking and packing).
- Sorting and vehicle loading.
- Route planning and delivery time-slot management.
If resources aren’t scaled correctly, any delay in order preparation carries over into delivery—putting customer delivery promises at risk.
Urban route optimisation
Urban traffic, environmental restrictions, low-emission zones and the lack of loading/unloading space make the last mile even more complex. On the busiest days, finding the optimal delivery route becomes a critical task.
That’s why more and more companies are turning to route optimisation solutions that take into account:
- The number of orders and their locations.
- The time windows promised to customers.
- Access restrictions for certain vehicles in specific areas.
- The range of electric vehicles and the available charging points.
Staff shortages and the need for extra capacity
To handle the workload peak, many delivery companies are forced to hire temporary staff—both in warehouses and on the road. Coordinating new teams, training couriers, and maintaining quality and safety standards are also part of the challenge.
Black Friday planning often begins months in advance, specifically to anticipate staffing needs and prevent human resource shortages from limiting delivery capacity.
How delivery companies prepare for Black Friday
To turn the Black Friday delivery surge into an opportunity rather than a problem, companies build a dedicated strategy around this period. It’s not just about surviving the peak—it’s about using it to retain customers by delivering a great delivery experience.
Temporary reinforcement of couriers
One of the first measures is to increase the number of couriers. Many companies rely on temporary contracts, agreements with self-employed workers, or partnerships with last-mile platforms that can provide additional flexibility.
Beyond staffing, it’s also common to extend operating hours—including evening and weekend shifts—to spread delivery volume throughout the day and reduce congestion during peak times.
Using electric motorbikes and sustainable vehicles
In urban environments, electric delivery motorbikes are increasingly taking centre stage. Their compact size, easy handling and low maintenance costs make them an ideal tool for companies that need to increase the number of deliveries during Black Friday.
Key advantages for this type of campaign include:
- Easy access to restricted-traffic areas and low-emission zones.
- Shorter travel times and easier parking.
- Much lower energy costs than a combustion vehicle.
- Reduced emissions and a stronger sustainable brand image.
Sustainable mobility specialists such as Inquieto offer fleets of electric motorbikes designed for urban delivery, with different load capacities and ranges tailored to intensive last-mile routes.
Upgrading tracking software and smart fleets
Technology plays a key role in managing the Black Friday delivery surge. Fleet management systems allow companies to:
- Monitor each vehicle’s location in real time.
- Reorganise routes based on traffic or new deliveries.
- Update customers on their order status with automatic notifications.
- Analyse campaign data to improve planning in future years.
This data-driven approach is essential for making fast decisions and reducing issues during the busiest days.
Why electric motorbikes are key during this period
In increasingly congested cities with stricter environmental regulations, vehicle choice makes all the difference to last-mile efficiency.
More deliveries per hour
Thanks to their agility and ease of parking, electric motorbikes can make more stops in less time. For a company looking to multiply delivery capacity on Black Friday, this translates directly into more orders delivered per shift.
Much lower operating costs
The cost per kilometre of an electric motorbike is significantly lower than that of a combustion vehicle. In a high-volume delivery context, that cost difference multiplies—helping companies protect profitability even when competing with highly aggressive online promotions.
Unrestricted urban mobility and access to low-emission zones
Many cities have introduced Low Emission Zones (LEZs) or traffic restrictions to reduce pollution. Electric motorbikes can operate in these areas without limitations, making city-centre deliveries easier precisely at the time of year when deliveries are most concentrated.
Logistics trends for Black Friday 2025
Consumer behaviour and technological progress are shaping new trends in the logistics sector—especially visible on dates like Black Friday.
The rise of quick commerce
Quick commerce—ultra-fast delivery in under an hour—is expanding into more sectors. Supermarkets, dark stores and local retailers use this model to stand out from the competition during major discount campaigns.
Warehouse automation
Picking robots, automated sorting systems and advanced warehouse management software make it possible to process more orders in less time. Automation is becoming almost essential to handle Black Friday’s extra volume without losing accuracy or traceability.
Growth of urban electric fleets
Every year, more companies add electric vehicles to their fleets—especially motorbikes and small vans for urban delivery. Beyond cutting emissions, this transition helps businesses comply with regulations and optimise operating costs in the medium and long term.
Conclusion: Black Friday is redefining the future of urban delivery
The surge in Black Friday deliveries is much more than a one-off workload peak: it has become a real-world testing ground where logistics companies put their capabilities, technologies and mobility models to the test.
The combination of early planning, extra staffing, the use of electric delivery motorbikes and digital fleet management tools enables companies to meet this challenge successfully. At the same time, it lays the foundations for more efficient and sustainable urban delivery throughout the year.
