The surge in e-commerce has profoundly transformed the multifamily housing industry, especially during peak shopping periods like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the December holiday season. This shift has led to a significant increase in package deliveries to apartment communities, presenting both challenges and opportunities for property managers.

As the multifamily industry evolves, property managers are navigating a complex landscape shaped by shifting economic forces, technological advances, and regulatory changes. Let’s dive into five key challenges managers are expected to face in 2025 and explore strategies for overcoming them.

The global B2C ecommerce market reached $4.8 trillion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $9 trillion by 2032. A growth rate of 7% is anticipated over the next 3 years alone! With the surge in e-commerce, multifamily properties are facing unprecedented challenges in package management. 

From daily deliveries to seasonal peaks, property managers need innovative solutions to meet residents' expectations and reduce operational burdens. 

As the holiday season approaches, property managers brace for the annual surge in package deliveries, a trend amplified by Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping sprees. In 2024, U.S. retail sales between Black Friday and Cyber Monday are projected to rise 5% year over year, reaching $75 billion for the first time.

This increase underscores the growing reliance on online shopping, which, while convenient for consumers, presents logistical challenges for multifamily communities.

In the age of convenience and online shopping, the rise of "porch pirates" has become a growing concern for Canadian communities. These modern-day thieves are opportunistic individuals who prey on unattended parcels left on doorsteps, pilfering deliveries meant for hardworking Canadians.

Explore how the presence of porch pirates has impacted communities across Canada, with a staggering statistic revealing that one in four of Canadian residents have experienced lost parcels due to this prevalent issue.

The holiday season is here and with it comes the biggest influx of packages seen all year! Communities worldwide will soon be overwhelmed with holiday gifting and hosting deliveries.

In fact, 43% of Americans began their 2023 holiday shopping in October, according to research by Capital One. On top of that, 46% of holiday shoppers plan to purchase at least half of seasonal gifts online.

Multifamily property managers are facing two critical challenges: managing the ever-increasing volume of packages and finding ways to generate new revenue streams—all while working with limited budgets. With budget season in full swing and holiday package piles on the horizon it’s no wonder this issue is at the forefront of our minds.

The Growing Package Problem

More residents than ever shopping online and package delivery has become a logistical nightmare for many property managers. Piles of boxes can clutter lobbies, overwhelm leasing offices, and frustrate residents if their deliveries aren’t properly secured or managed.

Manual package handling is time-consuming, error-prone, and takes valuable time away from your team’s more critical responsibilities. Not to mention, improperly stored packages can result in theft or damage, leading to dissatisfied tenants.

With online shopping on the rise, efficient package management is more important than ever. Handling endless package deliveries and the countless resident emails that accompany them is a constant drain on time and resources for property staff. It’s time to get the package problem off your hands and restore more time to your day. The onsite package management experts with Luxer Liaison are just the solution to fit your needs.

Saved Time for Staff

Handling packages is a time-consuming task that pulls property managers away from critical responsibilities like giving tours, addressing maintenance requests, and enhancing the resident experience.

With Luxer Liaison, package management is handled effortlessly by our onsite package experts, who ensure that every delivery is scanned, logged, and organized, making it easy for residents to retrieve their packages. 

According to our partnered communities reports, properties with around 200 units have saved an average of 10+ hours per week on package management tasks. For larger communities with 500+ units, the savings are even more significant, with some properties reducing package management time by 30 to 40 hours each week.

This reclaimed time can now be directed toward leasing, resident relations, and other high-value tasks. 

Handling the influx of package deliveries efficiently and securely is one of the growing challenges for property managers worldwide. As online shopping continues to surge, the need for reliable package management solutions is more critical than ever. At Luxer One, we understand the intricacies of property management and the importance of making informed decisions. Here are key factors property managers should consider when choosing package delivery locker management solutions.

1. Value vs Price

The old adage, "You get what you pay for," rings particularly true in the realm of package delivery lockers. It may be tempting to pick the cheapest option, but it's important to think about the value it offers.

While cheaper lockers may seem like a good deal, they often have less security, less space, and less than optimal customer service. Some smart locker companies may offer lower prices at the cost of surveillance options, quality customer service, and/or optimal capacity capabilities.

When selecting a locker solution, consider its strength, security, ease of use, and level of customer support. A high-quality locker makes it easy and safe to get packages, saving time and trouble in the future.

Investing in a higher-quality locker may cost more upfront, but it can ultimately save you time, money, and stress in the long term. Ensuring a superior user experience ultimately reduces costs and headaches down the line.

Theaters aren’t the only places we are seeing Twisters these days! Not to mention the “digital storm” from the CrowdStrike error bringing down tech products nationwide. As Hurricane season gets into full swing and inclement weather is on the rise, there are a few things property managers should monitor when utilizing both indoor and outdoor locker units.