Number of damaged packages arriving on doorsteps has soared by a third in past year

A shocking study has revealed that the number of damaged packages landing on doorsteps has surged by a third in the last year, equating to a staggering 85 million damaged parcels in the past 12 months.

The research, which surveyed 2,000 consumers, found that they typically received four parcels with either cosmetic or fundamental damage in 2024, up from three previously.

It was discovered that 29% have taken delivery of parcels where products were shattered within the packaging, and 27% reported receiving boxes that were torn.

Food and drink items were the most frequently delivered goods to arrive damaged (15%), followed by household items such as crockery and glassware (15%) and entertainment products like books or games (13%).

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High-value items have also arrived in less than perfect condition, averaging £125.91 per item. Some damaged products were found to cost more than £500.

According to figures from OnePoll.com, 1 in 10 have also received health and beauty products that were damaged. Almost a third (32%) make an online purchase that is delivered to their home or workplace every week.

More people are ordering online at least once a month - a rise of 13%. Yet, if they received a broken or damaged item, 57% would think twice about shopping with that retailer again.

Ashwin Moorthy, head of design and innovation chief at DS Smith's head of design and innovation, said: "People are excited for bargains, but each broken delivery bursts that bubble and contributes to an annual multi-billion-pound problem."

"From home entertainment tech to weekly shops and flowerpots, these days we order just about anything online, but products can be dropped, impacted, squashed, crushed and shaken on route."

"This means they need cleverly designed packaging so people aren't left disappointed with an online order that arrives in pieces."