Black Friday may only last a day, but its ripple effects on multifamily communities can last for weeks. Not to mention the rise of Cyber Week following this yearly event. As online spending continues to rise, property and regional managers across the U.S. are already bracing for a new surge in package deliveries that will test every part of their operations.
According to Adobe Analytics, U.S. shoppers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday 2024, a 10.2% increase year over year. That number is projected to climb even higher in 2025 as retailers start promotions earlier than ever. In fact, 37% of consumers say they now expect holiday sales to begin before Halloween (Sinch, 2025). For multifamily teams, that means the “holiday package season” now stretches from late October through New Year’s.
The Growing Pressure of Holiday Deliveries
E-commerce trends are only one part of the story and logistics data tells the rest. As delivery volumes increase, multifamily communities experience a spike that rivals or even exceeds national averages. Luxer One’s package delivery data reveals:
- A 16% increase in total deliveries from 2024 to 2025.
- A 27.2% jump in deliveries from November to December 2024.
- Peak daily volumes up to 2.5× the community’s average during the holiday period.
When that level of demand collides with already stretched property teams, the result can be long lines at leasing offices, misplaced packages, and frustrated residents. For many property managers, holiday package prep is no longer optional, it’s an operational necessity.
Why Black Friday Demands a New Level of Preparation
The Black Friday effect hits multifamily properties differently than it does retailers or logistics hubs. Communities must balance delivery management with resident experience. Packages aren’t just a storage problem; they’re a customer service issue.
From the Prepare for the Prime Day Effect on Multifamily blog, we know that similar shopping events like Prime Day create a measurable 55% increase in deliveries at Luxer One properties. That same pattern repeats during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but with higher stakes considering the combination of limited staffing, resident events, and holiday scheduling.
Proactive properties are addressing this challenge through:
- Flexible delivery systems that combine indoor, outdoor, and overflow locker solutions.
- Carrier communication plans that clearly define drop-off procedures.”
- Automated notifications to reduce staff time spent on resident follow-ups.
Key Steps for Holiday Package Prep
To stay ahead of the Black Friday delivery surge, property managers should focus on three critical areas:
- Audit package capacity early.
Review last year’s delivery data to project this year’s volume. If you have automated lockers or rooms be sure to audit the system to ensure they are functioning and packages are picked up in preparation. - Prepare outdoor systems for winter conditions.
The Holiday Survival Guide for Multifamily highlights the importance of prepping outdoor package systems for weather changes. This includes everything from sealing electrical enclosures to clearing snow and ice around access points. - Plan staff scheduling and communication.
High delivery days often align with reduced office hours. Automating package notifications and offering 24/7 pickup access helps keep operations running smoothly without overburdening teams. Automated package lockers or rooms can help manage the package process and ensure secure delivery and pickup. - Inform residents early and often.
Let residents know how deliveries will be handled and encourage timely pickup. Clear communication can dramatically reduce overflow and misplaced packages.
The Bigger Picture: Efficiency Beyond the Holidays
Black Friday isn’t just a one-time test, it’s a preview of operational challenges to come. As highlighted in Top Challenges for Property Managers in 2026, rising costs, tighter budgets, and higher resident expectations will continue to pressure multifamily teams well into next year. Investing in long-term delivery solutions now is a strategic way to future-proof operations and protect staff efficiency.
Communities that adopt scalable, automated systems like Luxer One’s lockers and package rooms not only survive the holiday rush but strengthen resident trust year-round.
Ready to Stay Ahead of the Rush?
This Black Friday, proactive planning is the key to avoiding overwhelmed staff, lost deliveries, and unhappy residents. By combining clear communication, weather-ready systems, and smart automation, you can turn the holiday rush into an opportunity to showcase operational excellence.
Contact Luxer One today to prepare your community for a seamless holiday season and a stronger start to 2026.
