From prescription refills to vehicle parts to last-minute gifts, customers increasingly expect real-time delivery visibility, not vague arrival windows.

When a customer places an order, the confirmation hits their inbox instantly. They see what they ordered, what they paid and an estimated delivery date. From there, the picture often gets fuzzier, with delivery windows less certain and updates infrequent.

These uncertainties don’t sit well for the pharmacy customer waiting on a prescription refill for a weekend trip, the driver who needs an auto part to get back on the road or the shopper scrambling to secure a last-minute luxury gift for a birthday party.

In each of these scenarios, what used to feel like a premium feature has become table stakes. Customers want to know not just when an order will arrive, but also its location in the network at any point in time. That visibility lets customers plan their day. Without it, even small delays create buyer uncertainty, cause missed deliveries and trigger avoidable customer service problems and follow-up calls.

Companies that ignore these realities are taking real risks. Consider these statistics:

• 80% of consumers expect same-day delivery, and 77% want their orders within two hours.
• 91% of consumers actively track their packages as those orders make their way through the supply chain.
• 47% of consumers have chosen not to order from a retailer because of a previous poor delivery experience on an item ordered from that retailer.
• 23% of consumers say poor tracking/delivery information has deterred them from shopping at a retailer from which they previously ordered an item.

These numbers looked very different just five to ten years ago, when detailed delivery tracking was still viewed as a differentiator for sellers. Now it’s the norm, with most consumers actively monitoring their deliveries and factoring that experience into their future buying choices.

Putting visibility to the test in the last mile

As delivery visibility becomes the standard rather than the exception, inconsistent updates and unclear delivery timing dictate whether customers trust the seller they’re buying from or shop elsewhere next time. That pressure concentrates in the last mile, where delivery performance often determines whether the customer experience holds up or breaks down.

Roadie applies that visibility-first approach to same-day delivery. The platform integrates real-time tracking into the last mile, allowing customers and delivery teams to see progress as an order moves from pickup to drop-off. Once complete, customers receive confirmation at the doorstep, including photographic proof of the package delivered to the correct location.

For retailers, that visibility provides unmatched oversight at an unpredictable point of the supply chain. This proof of fulfillment also helps companies track deliveries as they happen, monitor progress and respond amid changing last-mile conditions.

Turn the final handoff into a competitive advantage

Roadie reduces uncertainty at the point of handoff, thanks to last-mile visibility that keeps customers updated on order status through the following:

• Live tracking. The customer can see when the order leaves a store or warehouse and watch in real-time as that same-day order makes its way to their door.
• Photographic chain of custody. Photos and real-time text updates capture key moments in the delivery process, confirm orders arrive safely and flag issues as soon as they arise. Customers can see exactly where drivers drop off orders, retrieve them quickly and sign off immediately on deliveries that require a signature.
• Secure, Proactive Handoffs. Unlike reactive platforms that only alert you after a delivery fails or a package disappears, Roadie incorporates fraud prevention into the delivery note and handoff process. Drivers use the app to facilitate passcode-protected handoffs, ensuring high-value goods reach the right person every time.

Shoppers now assume they’ll receive timely updates, accurate ETAs and physical order status as delivery unfolds. In an environment where delivery performance shapes both trust and repeat business, that visibility turns the final handoff into a competitive advantage.