2025 and beyond: side hustle economy and digital delivery revolution CouriersPlease CEO forecasts

Following a transformative year for the online shopping and the growing appetite for personalised convenience, the CEO of Australia’s fastest-growing franchised courier service, CouriersPlease, Richard Thame forecasts side hustles, cutting-edge digital delivery, seamless returns, and regional expansions will redefine E-Commerce and parcel delivery sector in 2025. 

“With Australia's living cost index rising by 4.7 per cent in the year leading up to September 2024,[1] we are witnessing a significant shift,” says Richard. “An increasing number of Australians are turning to E-Commerce side hustles to supplement their income.[2] I believe 2025 will mark an unprecedented surge in Australians embracing the side hustle economy.”

“Beyond the pursuit of additional income, we're witnessing a fundamental transformation in the workforce,” Richard explains. “People are seeking flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to shape their careers on their own terms.[3] This shift is redefining traditional employment models and fuelling the rise of the side hustle economy.”

He points to the surge in Australians leveraging platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Shopify, where creative entrepreneurs can launch businesses with minimal startup costs, with Shopify taking social commerce to the next level by recently integrating TikTok Shop to enable in-app shopping.[4] 

“The integration of TikTok Shop into Shopify is taking social commerce to new heights, enabling in-app shopping experiences that were previously unimaginable,” Richard says.

“At CouriersPlease, we've observed a significant uptick in side-hustle entrepreneurs and small businesses utilising our delivery services. This trend underscores the growing need for flexible and scalable logistics solutions that cater to the evolving demands of small-scale E-Commerce operators.”

Off the back of continued growth of E-Commerce giants Temu and Shein,[5] Richard forecasts a major shift toward digital-first delivery in 2025, with real-time tracking and priority services at the forefront.

“Australians now expect more than just fast delivery. They want transparency, convenience, and control over every step of the journey.

“We’re evolving to meet these demands that put customers in the driver’s seat. In the months to come we’ll see a sizeable shift in technology being leveraged to give shoppers greater control, such as adjusting delivery time slots in real time. We’ve also launched CP Direct, our new booking platform designed for simplicity with automation that provides a seamless shipping experience for our customers.”

Richard predicts the resale commerce trend will surge locally following growing appetite for sustainable second-hand fashion. While platforms like Vinted, a major player in Europe where users buy and sell pre-loved clothing, lead the charge internationally, Australian alternatives like Bushpop[6] and SwapUp[7] are gaining traction.

“Australians are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental toll of fast fashion,” Richard says. “As one of the largest textile consumers globally, Australia is ripe for change. With the global recommerce market projected to reach AUD $413.7 billion (USD $275.8 billion) by 2028,[8] I expect we will see In Australia, where per capita textile consumption is among the highest globally, the adoption of second-hand marketplaces is expected to reshape the retail landscape towards more sustainable practices.”

Richard Thame’s 7 trends shaping E-Commerce and parcel deliveries in 2025 and beyond:

Side hustle economy booms
Australians will increasingly turn to E-Commerce side hustles to supplement incomes, driving demand for flexible logistics solutions like CouriersPlease’s CPDirect platform to support their growing ventures. Research has found that 38 per cent of Aussies are considering starting a side hustle alongside their existing job in the next five years, with 68 per cent motivated by the potential to earn extra income. [9]

Digital-first delivery
Retail and carrier digital integrations will continue to be enhanced. Customers should expect to see more than real-time tracking, proactive updates and day-specific delivery windows that align with hybrid work schedules as consumers prioritise control and convenience.

Resale commerce takes off
With Australia’s fast-fashion consumption under scrutiny, resale commerce will rise as more shoppers opt for second-hand options. 

Regional expansion for metro-level convenience
As regional areas grow off the back of Australians being priced out of capital cities amid property price hikes,[10] city-level delivery services will ramp up for regional Australians, creating more franchise opportunities in the industry and supporting local economies.

Sustainability front and centre
In response to consumer demand for eco-friendly practices, major retailers and delivery services will deepen their commitment to green logistics. We’ll see accelerated investments in eco-friendly facilities, optimised delivery routes to reduce emissions, green-rated warehouses, and green-procurement policies.

Seamless returns and PUDO options
Next year will see a major shift towards hassle-free, flexible returns. As consumers increasingly value simplicity and efficiency, logistics providers will ramp up partnerships with local businesses to expand Pick-Up and Drop-Off (PUDO) networks, allowing customers to return items at convenient spots like cafes, pharmacies, and parcel lockers. CouriersPlease is leading this shift with its fast-growing CP PUDO network, in partnership with HUBBED, which already spans over 2,800 locations nationwide, making e-commerce returns easier than ever before.”

Factory-first shopping

Driven by online platforms, the trend of shopping direct enables entrepreneurs to sell directly to consumers, cutting out traditional retail middlemen and streamline the buying process. A recent CouriersPlease survey of 1000 Australian online shoppers found that 71 per cent had made a purchase through Amazon and 55 per cent through Temu in the September 2024 quarter.