NEW YORK—The consumer’s appetite for buying products online, including furniture and home furnishings, has fallen in the past year, according to survey results from AlixPartners, a global consulting firm.
While all categories—except for grocery, which was flat—were down year-over-year, furniture and home furnishings both plummeted by double digits, dropping to 18% of respondents who said they purchased those categories online for delivery in 2025 from 28% in 2024.
The across-the-board decline was the first since the Home Delivery Report‘s inception in 2012, showing an overall weakening in online purchases. The survey also found consumers have an increased desire for free shipping, with 77% saying that perk greatly influences their purchase decision—a 10 percentage point jump from 67% in 2024 and the highest since 2012. Overall, 97% of those polled said free shipping has some impact on ordering.
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The drop off in e-commerce could be attributed in part to shoppers’ attitudes about tariffs, as many try to time their purchases to avoid tariff-related costs. About one-third said they have delayed purchases until there is more certainty about tariffs vs. 28% who made an earlier-than-planned purchase to get ahead of tariff surcharges.
Just less than one-quarter (22%) have reduced or delayed online purchases that ship directly from overseas, with 20% saying they are consciously trying to buy American-made goods in light of tariffs.
“Elevated consumer awareness of tariffs is clearly flowing through into buying decisions,” said Chris Considine, a retail practice partner. “You can see how people are timing their purchases and the conscious effort among a sizeable minority to ‘Buy American’.”
Consumers continue to expect quick delivery—within 3.5 days. The exception to this is Gen Z, which is the cohort most willing to wait an extra day to allow retailers to consolidate shipments. More than a third (37%) of Baby Boomers and Gen X are willing to walk away if their expectations aren’t met by e-tailers vs. 33% of Millennials and just 21% of Gen Z.
The survey of 1,000 consumers 18 and older was fielded in late May and early June.
