Convenience is more important to consumers now than ever before. The ability to buy products with just a few taps or clicks on our devices and have them conveniently brought to our doorsteps has rapidly transformed how we shop.
As online shopping continues to evolve, so do the options for delivery. In-garage delivery is one of the most innovative advancements in this space.
This service takes the convenience of online shopping delivery one step further by allowing packages to be securely placed inside a garage. E-commerce giant Amazon is the brains behind the concept, which is called Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery. The service began in the U.S. in 2017 and just launched in Canada.
The concept of in-garage delivery may be relatively new, but it’s quickly gaining traction with consumers. According to the company, the service has accounted for “more than 60 million convenient and secure deliveries inside garages in the U.S.”
Online shopping’s rapid growth
The growth of online shopping has exploded over the past decade. Forbes reports that global e-commerce sales are projected to grow from $5.3 trillion in 2022 to $7.9 trillion in 2027. In 2024, one in five retail purchases are expected to take place online.
Amazon is by far the most-visited e-commerce website in the U.S. In 2023, they accounted for 37.6% of e-commerce sales. Walmart was a much distant second with 6.4% of sales. Numerous factors are driving the surge in e-commerce spending:
- consumers have access to a wider selection of products
- shopping online is often more convenient than brick-and-mortar store shopping
- consumer-friendly competitive pricing
- advances in e-commerce tech have improved the shopping experience
- the shopping habits of many consumers changed during the pandemic
Package theft statistics
Naturally, in any market where significant economic growth occurs, there are also opportunistic crooks who will seek to benefit from the situation. Package theft has become a major problem in the U.S. Here are some recent package theft statistics compiled by Forbes, Capital One, and Safewise:
- approximately 35% of Americans had a package stolen in the past year
- 1.7 million packages go missing every day
- 55.5% of reported package thefts involved Amazon deliveries
- the average value of a stolen package is $112
- 18% of online shoppers don’t take any precautions to deter “porch pirates”
- suburban residents are 150% more likely to be victimized than urban residents
- 50% of online shoppers worry about package theft
The garage is a much more secure spot for package drop-offs compared to the front door.
While these statistics give us an idea of how much of an issue package theft has become, the problem is undoubtedly worse than the numbers show. That’s because occurrences of package theft are significantly underreported. Only an estimated 14% of package thefts are actually reported to the police.
With such a huge share of the online shopping market, it’s no wonder Amazon is looking for ways to make the delivery process more secure for their customers.
We’ll explain how in-garage delivery works, its benefits, how safe it is, and why services like this may just be the next big thing in e-commerce.
How does in-garage delivery work?
To use the service, you need to be an Amazon Prime member. Amazon garage delivery isn’t available everywhere, unfortunately, but the majority of addresses in the U.S. and Canada can use the service. You also need a compatible garage door opener with smart tech like Chamberlain’s myQ system. Some older garage door openers can be retrofitted with an inexpensive smart control hub.
Our homes are integrating more smart technology functionality and the garage is no exception. Having a strong Wifi signal in the garage is important if you want to add useful features like a smart garage door opener, smart camera, smart lighting, and in-garage delivery. Using a smartphone app, smart garage door openers allow you to control your garage doors remotely and you’ll get alerts if they’re unexpectedly opened.
The Amazon app needs to be linked with your smart garage door app and the in-garage delivery option must be turned on. During the order checkout process, select in-garage delivery as your shipping option. The service was free until recently, but Amazon now charges $1.99 for it unless customers choose to have their deliveries shipped on a specific day or multiple orders sent in one consolidated shipment.
On delivery day, the Amazon driver scans your package(s) as they normally would, but this also generates a one-time access code for your garage. After the package is placed inside the garage, the driver exits and marks the delivery as having been completed on their device, which closes the garage door.
As with most delivery services nowadays, the entire delivery process can be tracked in real-time, right down to your notifications telling you exactly when your garage door is opened and closed.
A compatible smart garage door opener is required to receive in-garage deliveries.
Benefits of using in-garage delivery
This service offers several benefits to consumers, the most important of which is enhanced security. In-garage delivery eliminates the worry of a package being stolen from a porch or front door.
Package theft is a crime of opportunity, but a thief can’t steal something they can’t see. Having your deliveries kept out of sight and locked away in your garage is as practical as using the best car security solution available – parking in your garage instead of the driveway. In both cases, they’re a much more secure option and provide the peace of mind that you won’t become another crime statistic.
Another major benefit of this delivery option is the convenience it provides. There’s no need to rearrange your schedule to be at home for a delivery or risk having your packages left unattended on your porch. Whether you’re at work, at a social event, running errands, or on vacation, your deliveries will be waiting for you safely when you return home.
You’ll also save time by eliminating the need to go pick up a package you’re expecting at another location. Some people may find the service’s convenience appealing even if they’re at home. Perhaps they don’t want to be disturbed while they’re taking a nap, enjoying a movie with the family, or getting in a workout session.
Another common problem with traditional doorstep delivery is the exposure of packages to rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. In-garage delivery prevents weather damage by placing your packages in a sheltered environment.
Is it safe to use Amazon garage delivery?
Despite the benefits of using in-garage delivery, some homeowners may be understandably uneasy about letting a stranger into their garage. It’s a valid concern, but Amazon emphasizes that the service is designed to prioritize security and privacy with the following features and protocols:
- homeowners don’t need to give their door access code to delivery drivers
- the one-time door access code expires after a completed delivery so a driver can’t re-enter a garage
- a garage door won’t open without verification from the system’s multi-step authentication process
- drivers have limited time access to a garage during the delivery window
- the system doesn’t allow a garage door to be left open
- drivers are instructed to go no more than five feet into a garage
- all drivers get comprehensive background checks
- real-time notifications let you track a delivery every step of the way
Homeowners with security cameras in their garage have another safeguard in place. A smart garage camera lets you monitor a delivery in real-time to ensure the drop-off goes smoothly and that the driver acts responsibly.
Even if you don’t feel the need to monitor a delivery while it’s happening, the camera recording provides a helpful extra layer of protection in case there’s any sort of delivery-related issue, such as damage to a product.
The future of in-garage delivery
The capability of delivering packages safely into our garages may not be as revolutionary as the drone package delivery future Amazon has promised, but it’s still pretty darn innovative.
In-garage delivery is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to become a standard option for package delivery in the near future. Advancements in AI technology will only accelerate the evolution of this delivery model.
With our homes integrating more smart tech functionality, we can expect courier companies and other retailers will follow Amazon’s path and eventually offer this type of delivery option to their customers.
When most of us hear the words “package delivery”, we tend to think of goods like electronics, apparel, and other household products making up the bulk of what’s being shipped around. More consumers are choosing to buy their groceries online, however, which will also increase the demand for a service like this.
Amazon already offers in-garage delivery for groceries through their Amazon Fresh subsidiary and Whole Foods Market, which the company bought in 2017. Meal kit subscription services and takeout delivery services are also becoming more popular, which opens up additional industries that can utilize in-garage delivery for their customers.
Online grocery shopping is becoming more popular so more of our garages will be used to receive deliveries.
Enjoy the benefits a modern garage provides
Most people with busy lifestyles who frequently shop online will appreciate the convenience and peace of mind that comes with using in-garage delivery.
Setting up your garage to simplify the package delivery process is just one of many ways a modern garage can make your life a little easier.
Garage Living specializes in maximizing the functionality of our clients’ garages. That includes making them more organized to accommodate vehicles, creating more home storage space with systems like cabinets and slatwall, adding custom spaces for your hobbies, and giving garages an attractive look.
Transform the appearance and functionality of your garage by scheduling a free design consultation with us.
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