San Antonio, TX – October 15, 2025 — An annual survey commissioned by Plus One Robotics, a provider of AI vision software and solutions for robotic parcel handling, highlights a dramatic trust gap in holiday delivery, with Amazon emerging as the clear leader. 

The survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers found that three out of four shoppers (75%) say they trust Amazon most for delivering their holiday packages on time, compared to just 17% who trust big-box retailers such as Walmart, Target and Best Buy. Department stores, online-only retailers and overseas marketplaces register even lower, at just 1–6%. The findings mark a significant shift from the same 2024 survey, when Amazon held 83% of consumer trust and big-box retailers commanded 59%. 

"Reliability has become the ultimate currency in holiday commerce," said Erik Nieves, founder and CEO of Plus One Robotics. “While speed and cost certainly influence decisions, perceived dependability determines where consumers place their highest-stakes holiday orders. A single delayed gift can damage years of brand loyalty.”

While trust was the survey’s central finding, other insights reveal what matters most to holiday shoppers:

• Moderate speed expectations: 49% of shoppers expect delivery within 2–3 days, up from 43% in 2024. Same-day shipping remains niche at 6%, and next-day at 13%, while Baby Boomers are most tolerant of longer waits.
• Cost-sensitive shipping: 37% demand free shipping (compared to 39% in 2024), and another 33% will pay up to $5 (32% in 2024) — showing little shift year-over-year. 
• Top concerns: Delivery delays remain the number one issue at 67%, though slightly lower than the 75% who reported delays hurting their holidays in 2024. Package damage (42%), high costs (39%), theft (35%) and import fees/tariffs (26%) round out the top worries.
• Transparency is essential: 81% of consumers say seeing an expected delivery date before checkout is “extremely” or “very important,” consistent with 82% in 2024.
• Domestic sourcing builds confidence: 58% prefer U.S.-based fulfillment. While not directly measured last year, this aligns with growing tariff concerns (26% in 2025) that disproportionately affect younger, global-marketplace shoppers.

"Amazon's dominance isn't accidental. In part, it's built on sophisticated robotics and AI-powered fulfillment infrastructure that consistently delivers on consumer expectations," Nieves explained. “Retailers seeking to compete must recognize that holiday success requires more than ad spend and marketing promises. It demands the operational excellence that only advanced automation can provide at scale.”

To learn more about Plus One Robotics, visit www.plusonerobotics.com. 

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CONTACT:

Zoe Hamilton

PANBlast for Plus One Robotics

[email protected]