As we reflect on 2024, it’s clear that the landscape of apartment package management continues to evolve. Multifamily communities face mounting challenges due to the growth of e-commerce, changing resident expectations, and the increasing demand for sustainable solutions. To meet these challenges, property managers must adopt innovative approaches that enhance resident satisfaction, integrate smart technology, and provide scalable solutions during peak seasons.
Looking back helps us move forward. In this blog, we’ll not only highlight the lessons learned from 2024 but also share proactive strategies multifamily property managers should consider in 2025.
Key takeaways from 2024 that will shape apartment package management strategies in 2025:
1. E-Commerce Growth Shows No Signs of Slowing
In 2024, e-commerce sales surged once again, with Statista reporting a 9.5% increase in online retail sales year-over-year. This continued growth of online shopping led to a direct increase in package volumes for multifamily communities. For property managers, this meant a growing logistical challenge as they struggled to manage the sheer volume of packages arriving at their properties.
The shift to online shopping has become a permanent fixture of consumer behavior. With more residents shopping online rather than in-store, package deliveries to multifamily properties will only increase in 2025.
How Property Managers Can Proactively Approach 2025
Property managers need to prepare for continued growth in package deliveries. Investing in scalable solutions that can handle large volumes will be critical. Fetch’s offsite storage and scheduled deliveries provide an ideal solution, allowing multifamily properties to manage rising package volumes without overwhelming onsite staff or residents. By offloading the burden of package management to Fetch, property managers can maintain operational efficiency even as package volumes continue to grow.
2. Resident Expectations Have Evolved
In 2024, resident expectations around package delivery convenience and security evolved rapidly. Today’s residents expect seamless, on-demand service for receiving their deliveries. They want flexibility in how and when they receive their packages, with minimal disruption to their daily lives. This shift in expectations places additional pressure on property managers to offer premium package management services that go above and beyond traditional package rooms or smart lockers.
According to an NMHC Resident Preferences Survey, 55% of residents consider package management services a key factor when choosing where to live, and 37% would be willing to pay extra for premium package handling.
Key Takeaway for 2025:
Providing a superior resident experience around package management will become even more important in 2025. Property managers should look for solutions that offer residents flexible, convenient options for package delivery. Fetch allows residents to schedule deliveries at their convenience, empowering them with more control over their packages while enhancing overall satisfaction. By offering this on-demand service, multifamily properties can stand out in an increasingly competitive rental market.
3. Sustainability and Environmental Impact Are Becoming Priorities
Sustainability took center stage in 2024 as multifamily communities prioritized eco-friendly solutions to reduce their environmental footprint. From energy-efficient building designs to greener operations, apartment communities are under increasing pressure to implement sustainable practices — and package management is no exception.
Managing packages in a way that minimizes waste and reduces the carbon footprint is becoming a key concern for property managers. One of the primary contributors to unnecessary carbon emissions is the number of missed deliveries and subsequent redelivery attempts. Additionally, traditional package rooms and smart lockers take up valuable space in apartment buildings, contributing to inefficient use of property resources.
Key Takeaway for 2025:
Sustainability should be a top priority for multifamily communities in 2025. Streamlining package management to reduce the number of failed deliveries is one of the most effective ways to promote greener practices. Fetch’s scheduled deliveries ensure that packages are delivered on the first attempt, reducing the need for multiple delivery trips and lowering carbon emissions. Furthermore, Fetch’s offsite storage minimizes the physical footprint of package handling areas, freeing up valuable communal spaces for more sustainable uses.
4. Technology Integration Is Key to Efficiency
The rise of smart technology in 2024 played a pivotal role in transforming package management for multifamily communities. From smart lockers to real-time tracking systems, property managers embraced new technologies that improved operational efficiency and reduced the burden on staff. However, while smart lockers gained popularity, they were not without their challenges — especially during peak delivery seasons when storage capacity was quickly exhausted.
As technology continues to evolve, property managers need to move beyond basic solutions like smart lockers and adopt more comprehensive, tech-enabled systems that can handle the complexities of modern package management.
Key Takeaway for 2025:
Technology integration will be crucial to improving package management efficiency in 2025. Property managers should seek innovative solutions that go beyond smart lockers and offer more flexibility.
Fetch’s technology allows residents to track their packages in real time and schedule deliveries, providing a seamless experience that reduces strain on property staff. By integrating Fetch’s technology into their package management systems, multifamily communities can ensure that all packages — regardless of size or delivery volume — are handled with precision and efficiency.
5. The Importance of Scalability During Peak Seasons
One of the most important lessons from 2024 was the need for scalability in package management systems. The holiday season and other peak delivery times often overwhelmed traditional package management solutions. Smart lockers filled up quickly, package rooms overflowed, and property managers struggled to keep up with the influx of deliveries. This led to delays, resident dissatisfaction, and additional strain on property staff.
As we move into 2025, scalability will be more important than ever. Multifamily communities need systems in place that can handle surges in package volume without compromising service quality or resident satisfaction.
Key Takeaway for 2025:
In 2025, property managers must prioritize scalability in their package management systems. Fetch’s offsite storage and logistics network are built to handle spikes in package volume, making it the ideal solution for managing deliveries during peak seasons. By outsourcing package management to Fetch, property managers can maintain smooth operations year-round — whether it’s the holiday season or a regular day — without placing additional stress on property staff.
Preparing for 2025
As we look ahead to 2025, it’s clear that multifamily communities must embrace innovative package management solutions. E-commerce growth, evolving resident expectations, sustainability concerns, and the need for scalability all point to the importance of adopting comprehensive, technology-driven systems that can handle the complexities of modern package delivery.Fetch’s offsite storage, scheduled deliveries, and technology integration offer property managers the tools they need to stay ahead of these challenges while enhancing resident satisfaction. By investing in scalable, efficient, and sustainable package management solutions, multifamily communities can ensure they’re well-equipped to meet the demands of 2025.
