Porch piracy is a problem. Or so I’ve heard.
7 in 10 say that it’s a problem that needs to be solved ASAP.
1 in 5 have actually experienced it.
Nextdoor, the popular micro-neighborhood social networking platform has more than 10 million registered users, spread across 100,000 neighborhoods. In addition to complaints about barking dogs and the neighbor who left their trash cans out too long, it is rife with reports of package thieves, often caught on hidden doorbell cameras.
Porch pirates make for a good news cycle. And with the rise in packages being delivered, it makes sense that a crime of opportunity—and one that is so quick and easy to perpetrate—would draw concern from online shoppers.
Consumers are taking porch piracy seriously: 7 in 10 believe it is a problem that needs to be solved ASAP.
There aren’t significant differences in how different demographic groups perceive the problem – all are similar, except:
- The older consumer, the more urgency: 75% of Baby Boomers say it’s a problem vs. only 56% of Gen Z
- Women (72%) are slightly more likely than men (67%) to consider it an urgent problem
- Surprisingly, there are no significant differences between urban, suburban, and rural residents or among income brackets (all fall in the 68-70% range)
Yet only 1 in 5 consumers have experienced porch piracy themselves. 1 in 3 know someone who has had a package stolen, implying this is a collective fear that is shared among consumers’ social graphs.
- Urban consumers, often notorious for their lack of porches, are nearly twice as likely as suburban and rural consumers to have experienced porch piracy (29% vs 16%)
As a result of this fear, 52% of consumers are taking proactive steps to address porch piracy. They fall into three categories:
- Apparently have a lot of time on their hands: More than 1 in 3 (38%) watch delivery drivers through their windows
- Want to throw money at the problem: 1 in 4 (24%) install a video/smart doorbell or other security (likely the same ones who plant a glitter bomb decoy package to foil the thieves)
- Looking for a reason to leave the house: Less than 1 in 5 (18%) choose to pick up packages at a store or other location
BOXpollTM by Pitney Bowes, a weekly consumer survey on current events, culture,and ecommerce logistics. Conducted by Pitney Bowes with Morning Consult //2094 US consumers surveyed November 2020.© Copyright 2020 Pitney Bowes Inc.
Let BOXpoll come to you
Sign up to get sneak previews of upcoming content and summaries of our best findings.
Latest Findings
Putting on or taking off the COVID-19?
The majority of consumers have seen their weight change during the pandemic, driving new purchases across product categories.
"Sometimes the only thing I have to look forward to."
Amid the monotony of pandemic life, consumers find value in receiving and unboxing online deliveries.
How many deliveries are too many?
More than half of consumers have become more aware of the growing mountain of boxes at their doors since the start of the pandemic. Few feel inclined to change it.
Consumers may be lacking a sense of urgency
Consumers were slow to get started on online holiday shopping although 36% plan to pay for expedited shipping in the final week of the season.