Discover 12 proven local fulfillment models for retailers with setup checklists and cost comparisons. Optimize BOPIS, curbside, and delivery. Start today.
Local shoppers want flexible ways to get what they love from the stores they trust. That means fast, reliable, and affordable fulfillment choices that match everyday life. The latest consumer research backs this up. According to McKinsey’s 2025 delivery survey, 90 percent of shoppers are willing to wait two or three days if it helps them avoid shipping fees, and on-time reliability now matters more than pure speed for most orders (the study also notes shoppers will abandon carts over high delivery costs) McKinsey. The last mile remains costly, with more than half of shipping spend tied to that final step Wise Systems.
Flexible local fulfillment is not a holiday-only tactic either. During the 2024 holiday season, curbside accounted for 17.5 percent of online orders at retailers that offer it, peaking at 37.8 percent on December 23 Adobe’s holiday recap. And click and collect continues to scale: aggregated analyst reporting shows U.S. BOPIS sales reached 132.8 billion dollars in 2024 with 97.2 million regular users Capital One Shopping research.
If you manage a boutique, bakery, grocer, or hardware shop, the big idea is this. Mix BOPIS, curbside, and smart local delivery to raise conversion, contain last mile costs, and delight shoppers who live nearby. This guide breaks down 12 proven fulfillment models you can adopt today, with quick setup checklists and realistic cost comparisons.
If you want an end-to-end partner that handles storefront build, inventory sync, and local delivery integrations for you, StoreStudio specializes in turnkey launches for neighborhood retailers. The team designs and implements your online store, connects inventory, and configures pickup and delivery flows, then supports you post launch so you can keep selling without technical headaches. Learn more about StoreStudio, browse the blog, or contact the team to scope a fast two-week rollout.
Why local fulfillment matters now
Shoppers have reset their expectations. People want options that balance speed, cost, and confidence that an order will be ready when promised. McKinsey’s survey found 95 percent prefer free standard shipping over paid expedited, and most will accept four to seven days if it is free McKinsey. That is exactly where BOPIS and curbside excel, because they offer immediacy without parcel costs, while nearby delivery can be priced predictably.
Meanwhile, the economics of the last mile are real. Industry roundups show last mile accounts for roughly 53 percent of total shipping costs Wise Systems. Shifting a portion of orders to store pickup or short-route delivery drops parcel fees and increases basket size when customers buy add-ons during pickup. A returns provider’s study covered by Retail Dive noted that 85 percent of BOPIS shoppers make additional in-store purchases when collecting orders Retail Dive. And pickup usage is widespread. Forrester’s 2024 Topic Insights survey indicated that half of U.S. online adults used store pickup for some online orders in the prior three months Forrester.
Inventory accuracy is the hidden unlock for all of this. The National Retail Federation highlights how RFID helps retailers reach near 99 percent inventory accuracy and makes BOPIS and curbside more dependable NRF. If you cannot reliably promise pickup readiness or delivery completeness, customer trust erodes fast.
The 12 fulfillment models local retailers can mix and match
Below are 12 models you can implement individually or combine. Each includes a quick setup checklist and a cost snapshot to help you choose the right mix.
1. Standard BOPIS pickup at a service counter
Best for: any retailer with a front-of-house counter and predictable store traffic.
How it works: customers buy online, choose in-store pickup, and collect at a staffed counter.
Setup checklist: - Turn on local pickup in your commerce platform and display store availability on product pages. On Shopify, the BOPIS flow and store transfers are built in, and setup is described in Shopify’s own guide Shopify’s BOPIS overview.
- Create a staging shelf behind the counter labeled by order number.
- Train staff to mark orders ready and check IDs on pickup.
Cost snapshot: lowest per order cost of all models. Your only costs are picking time, packaging, and a few minutes of staff time. Many stores see upsell lift during pickup. Retail Dive’s coverage notes that most BOPIS customers buy additional items when they pick up Retail Dive.
2. Curbside pickup with arrival notifications
Best for: stores with a parking area or predictable street access.
How it works: customers stay in their car while staff bring the order curbside.
Setup checklist: - Enable local pickup and make curbside instructions prominent in confirmation emails and SMS. Shopify offers a step-by-step curbside setup and POS workflow so staff can stage and mark orders picked up Shopify curbside guide.
- Add clear signage with a phone number or an “I am here” text keyword.
- Reserve two parking spots near the entrance if possible.
Cost snapshot: similar to BOPIS plus a couple of minutes of runner time. The payoff is stronger during late cutoff windows. Adobe’s analysis shows curbside usage spiking just before Christmas as shoppers scramble for last-minute pickup Adobe’s holiday recap.
3. In-store pickup lockers or lockers at the entrance
Best for: stores that want off-hours pickup or unattended handoff.
How it works: items are placed in coded lockers; customers receive a pickup code and collect anytime the lobby is open, or 24 by 7 if placed outside.
Setup checklist:
- Choose a locker provider and decide on indoor versus outdoor placement.
- Integrate locker codes into the ready-for-pickup notification.
- Add wayfinding signage at the door.
Cost snapshot: moderate upfront hardware or rental cost, then low per order handling. Locker programs improve throughput at peak hours and can reduce failed pickups.
4. Ship-to-store BOPIS for items not in local stock
Best for: multi-location retailers or stores with warehouse access.
How it works: when the local store is out of stock, the order is transferred internally to the pickup location.
Setup checklist: - Turn on store transfers and show realistic pickup dates at checkout. Shopify documents how to display pickup availability and manage transfers across locations Shopify BOPIS configuration. - Separate staging areas for transferred orders so team members can locate them quickly.
Cost snapshot: small internal transfer expense compared with shipping to home. Helps you save the sale, and customers avoid shipping fees.
5. Reserve online, pay in store
Best for: high-touch categories where fit, feel, or sizing matters.
How it works: customers reserve inventory online, then try and buy during the pickup visit.
Setup checklist:
- Add a reserve button alongside BOPIS and communicate hold times.
- Train staff on a concierge experience at pickup to boost conversion.
Cost snapshot: minimal cost to hold inventory for a short window. Conversion can outpace standard pickup because the customer is already committed.
6. Local delivery with your own driver for same-day windows
Best for: dense neighborhoods with many orders per day or per route.
How it works: you schedule short delivery windows and assign a staff driver or part-time driver to a route.
Setup checklist:
- Define a radius and cutoff times.
- Use basic route planning to stack stops by proximity.
- Establish delivery proof steps: photo, signature for high-value items.
Cost snapshot: use a realistic all-in cost per stop. The IRS standard mileage rate is 70 cents per mile for 2025 IRS. Add driver wages. U.S. delivery drivers average about 19 to 20 dollars per hour according to aggregated salary data Indeed salary data. If a one-hour route completes 6 stops at an average of 2 miles per stop, your rough cost per order is wage per order plus mileage per order. At 20 dollars per hour and 1.4 dollars mileage per stop, a 6 stop route is roughly 3.33 dollars wage per order plus 1.40 dollars mileage, or about 4.73 dollars before packaging and insurance. Higher density lowers cost per stop.
7. Scheduled batch delivery, also called a milk-run
Best for: bakeries, grocers, florists, and meal kits with predictable time windows.
How it works: you choose delivery days or windows by zone, then batch deliveries to maximize density.
Setup checklist:
- Publish weekly windows per neighborhood.
- Incentivize customers to choose off-peak windows with small discounts or loyalty points.
- Use simple route optimization to cut deadhead miles.
Cost snapshot: lower than ad hoc delivery because stops per hour are higher. Many retailers find batch delivery reaches the sweet spot between customer convenience and cost.
8. On-demand white label delivery with DoorDash Drive
Best for: immediate delivery without managing your own fleet.
How it works: customers order from your website; DoorDash supplies a driver on demand. Your brand stays front and center.
Setup checklist:
- Connect your ecommerce or POS to DoorDash Drive for automatic dispatch.
- Set customer delivery fees to offset all or part of the flat courier fee.
- Update notifications to include live driver tracking.
Cost snapshot: DoorDash Drive advertises a flat per order fee starting in the 6.99 to 10.99 dollar range and no subscription fees DoorDash Drive pricing. You control whether to pass some or all of this to the customer. This is often cheaper than staffing your own driver on slow days.
9. On-demand white label delivery with Uber Direct
Best for: instant delivery and broad coverage similar to DoorDash, with different regional strengths.
How it works: your site or POS sends the order to Uber Direct; an Uber courier completes the handoff.
Setup checklist:
- Connect via the Uber Direct dashboard, API, or an integration partner.
- Define zones, delivery windows, and fees in your site checkout.
Cost snapshot: Uber lists per delivery pricing that starts at about 7.99 dollars, with rates varying by distance, speed, and integration Uber Direct pricing. Like DoorDash, there are no commissions on marketplace orders because you are delivering from your own channels.
10. Same-day courier networks such as Roadie
Best for: oversized, fragile, or unusual items that benefit from direct store-to-door courier service.
How it works: orders are sent to a same-day network for pickup and delivery, often same day or scheduled.
Setup checklist:
- Use the courier’s dashboard or integrate through a middleware partner.
- Set weight and size rules, and publish delivery cutoffs.
Cost snapshot: pricing varies by distance, size, and service level. Providers promote ROI calculators to model savings when you offset shipping costs with a delivery fee and higher conversion Roadie insights.
11. Neighborhood pickup points and partner locations
Best for: urban corridors and main streets where customers pass through daily.
How it works: you designate a local partner or a community hub for pickup, or plug into third party pickup networks and parcel lockers when available.
Setup checklist:
- Formalize pickup windows and responsibility for storage and handoff.
- Provide branded bins and clear pickup instructions in order emails.
Cost snapshot: negligible per order cost plus goodwill with your partners. The convenience can be similar to lockers if hours are long.
12. Ship to home for local zip codes with USPS Ground Advantage
Best for: light parcels when customers are not available for pickup or delivery windows.
How it works: orders ship by USPS Ground Advantage, which covers most packages in two to five days.
Setup checklist:
- Offer a local shipping option with realistic delivery windows.
- Display free shipping thresholds to nudge baskets above your shipping break-even.
Cost snapshot: retail rates for a 1 lb Zone 1 package are roughly 8.70 dollars retail and about 5.91 dollars at commercial rates, based on Pitney Bowes’ published rate overview Pitney Bowes USPS rate overview. USPS does not add residential or Saturday surcharges, which simplifies budgeting. Use this only when pickup or local delivery is not ideal, since last mile costs add up fast.
Cost comparisons at a glance
Use this reality check to map your mix. Your exact numbers will vary by market, order value, and stop density.
BOPIS counter or curbside: typically 1 to 3 dollars per order in labor and materials. Biggest upside is upsell at pickup and zero parcel fees.
In-house local delivery: depends on density. With the 2025 IRS rate at 70 cents per mile and driver wages around 19 to 20 dollars per hour, a tight 6 stop route in one hour might land under 5 dollars per order before packaging IRS and Indeed salary data. Sparse routes push that higher.
On-demand white label: 6.99 to about 10.99 dollars per order for DoorDash Drive DoorDash Drive pricing and from 7.99 dollars for Uber Direct Uber Direct pricing. You can subsidize this with a customer delivery fee or minimums.
USPS Ground Advantage for local zip codes: about 6 to 9 dollars for a 1 to 2 lb Zone 1 to 2 package at retail, less at commercial rates Pitney Bowes USPS rate overview.
Two helpful rules of thumb emerge from the research. First, shoppers care deeply about predictable costs and reliability. McKinsey’s data shows cost sensitivity is high and on-time delivery beats raw speed for satisfaction McKinsey. Second, not every order needs instant delivery. Curbside and BOPIS catch the last-minute rush quite well. Adobe’s 2024 season data shows curbside spiking right before Christmas Adobe’s holiday recap.
Practical setup tips that improve every model
Show pickup availability on product pages. Shopify documents how to surface local availability, which reduces cart friction and out-of-stock surprises Shopify BOPIS configuration.
Protect inventory accuracy. NRF explains how RFID adoption has improved store-level accuracy and made BOPIS and curbside more dependable in apparel and beyond NRF. Even without RFID, regular cycle counts and clear receiving processes help.
Offer appointment pickup for high-value orders. Windows reduce lobby congestion and improve the experience.
Use SMS for curbside arrival and wayfinding. Even a simple “Text HERE to 55555” sign cuts dwell time.
Display clear cutoffs and windows. Customers reward transparency. Adobe’s data shows shoppers will adjust behavior to hit predictable pickup windows when reminded Adobe’s holiday recap.
Nudge to pickup or slower delivery. McKinsey suggests credits or thresholds can steer behavior toward cost-efficient options without hurting satisfaction McKinsey.
A starter playbook for neighborhood retailers
If you are upgrading from basic shipping to a modern local mix, try this sequence.
Phase 1: launch BOPIS and curbside together. These are the fastest wins with the lowest cost. Place a staging shelf behind the counter, train staff on the ready-for-pickup workflow, and add curbside signage with a call-or-text number. Link your online and in-store inventory so customers see which items are available for pickup now.
Phase 2: add scheduled local delivery by zone. Start with one or two milk-run windows per week in your highest-density neighborhoods. Use a small fee to offset costs and test radius and cutoff times.
Phase 3: layer on on-demand delivery for special cases. When a customer truly needs it now, dispatch to a white label network and pass through a portion of the fee. Both DoorDash Drive and Uber Direct offer straightforward per order pricing without subscriptions DoorDash Drive pricing and Uber Direct pricing.
Phase 4: consider lockers or partner pickup. If weekend lines surge, unattended pickup reduces pressure and extends coverage to off hours.
If you prefer to avoid juggling software and integrations, this is where a managed service shines. StoreStudio implements the storefront, syncs your inventory, and configures pickup and delivery rules for you, then sticks around to keep things running smoothly. A typical 100 product site can go live in about two weeks, with brand-aligned design and local delivery options turned on out of the box. If you are exploring which models fit your category and town best, start a conversation on the contact page and the team will help you map the plan.
Platform and tool choices
Ecommerce and POS: Shopify has native BOPIS and curbside workflows, inventory transfers, and integrated POS to run the store handoff efficiently. Shopify’s own retail articles walk through setup and real world examples Shopify BOPIS overview and curbside guide. If you are standing up a site and want a fast path on a well known platform, you can start with Shopify.
White label delivery: DoorDash Drive and Uber Direct both provide on-demand couriers for your own site without marketplace commissions. Pricing is flat per order with no monthly fees for the white label service DoorDash Drive pricing and Uber Direct pricing.
Route planning: even a basic route planner helps turn a one hour window into six or more stops, which is the difference between viable and not for in-house delivery.
What to measure to keep costs in check
Pickup readiness time: measure from order to ready-for-pickup. Post realistic estimates at checkout and in confirmation emails.
Curbside dwell: target under five minutes from arrival to handoff.
Delivery stops per hour: aim for five or more when you control the route, higher in dense zones.
On-time rate: reliability is a top driver of satisfaction according to McKinsey, so track it across pickup and delivery McKinsey.
Add-on rate at pickup: merchandise the counter or pickup area to encourage impulse items. The BOPIS uplift reported in Retail Dive’s coverage is real in many categories Retail Dive.
Cost per order by method: review quarterly and adjust fees or thresholds. For parcel shipments, consult updated USPS Ground Advantage rates to keep your models current Pitney Bowes USPS rate overview.
Shoppers have said what they want: choice, fair prices, and solid follow through. Your store can deliver that with a handful of workflows, thoughtful signage and training, and a few integrations that make operations click. When in doubt, start small with BOPIS and curbside, then add scheduled local delivery and white label on demand for the cases that need it. If you want a partner that sets it all up for you with brand-forward design and supports it after launch, StoreStudio is ready to help.
