As consumers brace for another round of tariff announcements on July 9th and look ahead to Prime Day, one thing is clear: the traditional shopping calendar has been turned on its head.
According to a new Harris Poll survey commissioned by Position Imaging, 66% of Americans say they are accelerating their purchases this year, driven by concerns over tariffs (51%) and potential product shortages (36%). This shift towards earlier, more deliberate spending may help consumers stay ahead of rising prices, but it’s also introducing new logistical challenges for e-commerce and last-mile delivery.
The big news? Younger shoppers, in particular, are driving this shift. An overwhelming 87% of Gen Z (ages 18–34) and 83% of Millennials (ages 35–44) say they’ve already made or plan to make purchases earlier than expected this year. That compares to just 38% of those over 65, revealing a stark generational divide in shopping and fulfillment preferences.
While we don’t have hard data on their motivations, it’s safe to assume that younger consumers, digital natives raised on real-time inventory alerts, social media flash sales, and fast-shipping expectations, are more attuned to urgency cues. They’re also more likely to follow economic news on platforms like TikTok, YouTube or podcasts, where creators are already warning about tariffs and price hikes, and promoting Prime Day deals.
Add in a lower tolerance for out-of-stock messages and a desire to “beat the rush,” and it makes sense that Gen Z and Millennials are recalibrating when, and how, they shop.
Early Shopping Meets Delivery Anxiety
Consumers may be shopping sooner, but they’re also more cautious about how and when their purchases arrive, especially when it comes to high-value or oversized items. Nearly 7 in 10 Americans (69%) say they’re more likely to buy big-ticket items like TVs or fitness equipment in-store rather than risk online delivery. For residents in multifamily apartments or condos, that concern holds steady at 66%.
“It’s clear that consumers are feeling vulnerable when it comes to how, and whether, their purchases will arrive safely,” says Ned Hill, Founder and CEO of Position Imaging. “This isn’t just background noise. It’s influencing where people choose to shop, how they spend, and how much trust they place in package delivery systems.”
Confidence Comes with Secure Package Management Solutions
The data shows a strong demand for package management solutions that provide security and peace of mind: 64% of Americans say they would feel more confident ordering large or expensive items online if they had access to a secure package storage room. Among multifamily apartment and condo dwellers, those most affected by delivery challenges, that number jumps to 68%.
“As tariffs and product availability become more uncertain, reliable delivery infrastructure has gone from a nice-to-have to a necessity,” says Hill. “A Smart Package Room solution isn’t just about convenience, it’s about building trust at the final step of the customer journey.”
A Smart Solution for a New Era of E-Commerce
Position Imaging’s Smart Package Room® system is the solution for this moment. The all-in-one, AI-powered package delivery system uses computer vision and secure access control to ensure that every package, from a $20 blender to a $2,000 television, is stored safely and retrievable only by the rightful recipient.
Unlike traditional package lockers for apartments, the Smart Package Room solution accommodates packages of all shapes and sizes and can seamlessly scale during peak shopping periods like Prime Day, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season.
Already in use across hundreds of multifamily apartment communities, student housing, and commercial buildings nationwide, the automated package room streamlines delivery for couriers, saves property managers’ time and labor costs, and delivers a frictionless pickup experience for residents.
Industry Data Confirms Security as Top Priority for Package Rooms
Recent research from the National Apartment Association (NAA) underscores what property managers are already seeing on the ground: secure package delivery is no longer just a perk; it’s a top necessity.
In a survey of apartment professionals managing new construction or recently completed buildings, 78.9% ranked security as the most important feature in package rooms, followed by technology and connectivity (45.9%). Interestingly, physical equipment, such as lockers or shelving, was viewed as far less important (21.1%), indicating a shift in focus toward smarter, tech-driven solutions that safeguard deliveries.
Ease of access also emerged as a critical factor, reinforcing the need for package delivery systems that provide both protection and convenience for residents and couriers alike.
Proven Technology, Trusted Results
“When we started on this journey, most people scoffed at the notion of letting a computer manage and secure package deliveries vs. a human or a locker,” Hill recalls. “Today, after over five million successful self‑serve package transactions, we’ve proven this new AI‑based computer vision-enabled approach works better than the old way of managing deliveries.”
That track record, combined with growing concerns around early shopping, tariffs, and theft, makes the case for why secure, scalable package rooms are no longer optional in modern residential and commercial buildings.
Meeting the Moment
As the lines between economic policy and consumer behavior continue to blur, one thing is certain: shoppers are planning ahead. And they expect the delivery process to keep up.
“Peak season is no longer a few weeks in November and December,” Hill adds. “It’s stretched across months, with smaller shopping holidays sprinkled throughout the year. The buildings that invest in future-ready infrastructure today will be the ones prepared for tomorrow.”
In an era of uncertainty, one thing is certain: shoppers want control, confidence, and convenience. Position Imaging’s Smart Package Room system delivers on all three.
Schedule a call with our experts to learn how we can help your property streamline delivery, reduce theft, and meet the needs of today and tomorrow’s residents