How are carriers responding to the slowdown?

They are improving service and technology to differentiate, but also need more scale to compete with vertically integrated retailers.

Which companies are affected by this trend?

Independent carriers are most impacted, while retailers like Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe's may see limited effects.

Weak Housing Market Weighs on Big and Bulky Last-Mile Delivery

The weak housing market is slowing last-mile delivery of large items as fewer homes are sold. Carriers are trying to beat competitors with better service and technology, but also need more scale to deal with vertically integrated retailers.

July 23, 2026

2 min read

Source: FreightWaves

The last-mile delivery of big and bulky items is slowing down as fewer houses change hands in a difficult real estate market, according to a report from FreightWaves. Carriers are facing increasing challenges in this sluggish environment.

Details

With home sales declining, demand for delivering furniture, appliances, and other large items typically associated with moving has dropped. This slowdown pressures delivery companies that rely on this activity as a major revenue source.

Context

To stay ahead, carriers are improving service quality and adopting new technologies. However, they also need to scale up to compete with vertically integrated retailers like Amazon (AMZN), Home Depot (HD), and Lowe's (LOW), which have their own delivery networks.

What It Means for Investors

This slowdown could impact the earnings of independent carriers heavily exposed to the housing sector. Investors in large retail stocks such as AMZN, HD, and LOW may see limited impact due to diversified revenue streams, but pressure on smaller carriers could reshape the competitive landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because home purchases drive demand for delivering furniture and large appliances; a weak market reduces that demand.

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This article was rewritten in Wrqti's editorial style based on information from the original source above. Content is informational only — not investment advice.