Local carriers can promise fast and cheap ecommerce delivery. Unfortunately, the services may also raise concerns about consistency and theft on a customer’s doorstep. Merchants and shippers have been trying to solve the last-mile delivery challenge. As a recent example, Target announced this month that it would expand its Shipt-powered same-day delivery model to more than 100 of its U.S. stores in 2026. Shipt, Amazon Flex, Uber, and similar services employ gig-economy workers to provide rapid last-mile delivery. Often, these contract drivers pick up packages directly from retail locations or fulfillment centers and deliver them in their personal vehicles. The trend is meaningful, as delivery increasingly shapes how customers experience a brand. Modern ecommerce increasingly relies on independent “gig” contractors for delivery. Local Target’s model is local at heart. Leveraging the chain’s network of physical stores, Shipt has effectively brought fulfillment closer to the customer.…