New analysis from fleet technology specialist Lightfoot reveals that retail fleets are among the hardest working of any sector, facing uniquely intense operational pressures despite covering fewer miles per driver.
Drawing on data from all Lightfoot-equipped vehicles and sectors over the past 12 months, the findings show that retail delivery drivers often travel less mileage than other at-work drivers, yet experience more frequent stop-start driving due to traffic and suburban routes, significantly slower average speeds and much higher vehicle utilisation.
Retail fleets included in the analysis span some of the UK’s best-known brands, including Currys Plc, Iceland, Tesco, and Asda.
“For the first time, our analysis shows the considerable strain that retail delivery fleets are under, but that the biggest brands in the sector are recognising these pressures and managing them,” said David Savage, Chief Revenue Officer at Lightfoot.
“Home delivery is an integral part of any retail business now, and how this is achieved in terms of cost, safety and productivity is essential to any bottom line. The data clearly shows that fleets using our in-cab coaching and reporting technology are working extremely hard, but also succeeding, and saving money, at this core service.”
Lightfoot’s data highlights the operational reality of retail driving. While retail drivers cover fewer miles individually, at an average of 5,381 miles compared to 8,238 miles, retail vehicles travel more than 2.5 times the annual mileage of non-retail vehicles – 25,362 miles versus 9,985 miles.
This is driven by multi-driver usage, with between four and five drivers per retail vehicle, and a near one-to-one driver-to-vehicle ratio in sectors outside retail.
“This intensive sharing model places greater strain on vehicles and creates additional compliance, accountability and driver management challenges – areas that Lightfoot’s technology is designed to address by providing individual driver visibility, even in shared vehicles,” said Savage.
Retail driving also proves more demanding behind the wheel. Including engine-on but non-driving time, retail fleets average just 16 miles every hour, which is around 30% slower than non-retail fleets, which manage 23 miles each hour.
Taking idling and engine-on but stopped time out, then retail sector drivers only average 22mph compared to 31mph for non-retail sectors. Yet they use more fuel and electric, averaging 22mpg compared to all fleets’ 27mpg, and 1.4 miles per kWh compared to 1.9 for all commercial vehicles.
Vehicles are running for significantly longer to achieve their working requirements, reflecting dense urban routes, frequent stops, customer deliveries and time-critical schedules.
“The mechanical load on these vehicles is huge,” David Savage said. “The fact they only average 16 miles every hour over long days and nights shows the vehicles are being used to pick up goods from depots and travel in fairly local areas, but with many stops for deliveries and a lot of congestion.
“This puts a strain on parts such as gearboxes and clutches, and so driving carefully and being mechanically sympathetic is vital if a fleet is not going to be hit by significant levels of vehicle off-road time, which can hit budgets and productivity hard.”
While Lightfoot’s technology is proven to improve safety and reduce collisions the environment in which retail delivery fleets operate, such as congested streets and urban locations, means the number of harsh events recorded such as heavy braking or swerving are higher too: on average one every three miles compared to one every 4.5 miles for non-retail.
“These drivers are not doing regular routes. They are often on unfamiliar, crowded roads delivering to customers and as a result, there is a lot of pressure on them,” said Savage. “That the number of harsh events recorded by our technology is only marginally higher than drivers in other sectors is testament to their skill and commitment.”
Seasonal demand further amplifies the pressure on retail fleets. Lightfoot data shows that in the run-up to Christmas 10% of all retail driving hours, fuel consumption and miles occurred during the pre-festive period. There was also a big increase in electrification during this period, with 17% of electricity used by retail fleets in 2025 happening in the final month.
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