London's brilliant for Gophr amid rebalancing of capital city's rhythm with couriers at heart of that shift
New data from Gophr reveals that its courier job volumes in London are up 38% year-on-year, with growth in the pre-8am window surging fastest of all.
Early morning deliveries now account for more than twice as many jobs as evening runs, marking a 33% year-on-year rise in London’s early hour activity. It suggests the capital’s “early riser workers”, ranging from tradespeople to medical couriers, are fast becoming the driving force behind London’s ‘hidden economy’.
Gophr analysis also reveals that coffee chains are seeing their longest queues before 8am in courier hotspots, with Greggs peaking just after 07:30 and Pret, Costa and Starbucks busiest from 08:00–09:00.
A city’s hidden economy is its unseen pulse, the behind the scenes movements and workers that keep it running outside of the nine-to-five; from couriers and taxi drivers to bar staff and coffee shop owners.
London’s reputation as a 24-hour city might have been built on its night time economy, but this only tells half the story, with Gophr’s data indicating that the early hours are where the hidden economy is really coming alive - putting the wheels in motion for the day before most commuters have left home.
This surge in early morning deliveries is fuelled by time critical work: pharmaceutical deliveries are up 101% year-on-year, ensuring prescriptions reach patients before breakfast, while construction related deliveries have grown 59%, making sure that tools and materials reach the capital’s busy building sites before activity begins for the day.
In Soho and the West End (W1), one of the capital’s traditional evening anchors, Gophr’s courier volumes are down 14% year-on-year.
By contrast, areas such as Marylebone, Whitechapel and Clapham are coming alive earlier, with courier volumes sharply up: NW1 (Camden/Marylebone, +45%), E1 (Shoreditch/Whitechapel, +33%) and SW11 (Clapham/Battersea, +31%).
According to Gophr, the shift shows how the very makeup of London is being reshaped, and that the city’s economic activity is moving away from traditional central hubs known for their evening activity, to more residential areas in the early morning.
Graham Smith, Strategic Account Director at Gophr, says: “London’s hidden economy has always been there, running quietly beyond the nine-to-five. What our data shows is that it’s increasingly shifting in favour of mornings, despite London being known as the late night city.”
“It’s a side of London most people don’t notice but the signs are everywhere - in the early queues outside coffee shops, in parking bays before dawn, and the supplies that reach construction sites while the streets are still half empty. It’s a rebalancing of London’s rhythm, and couriers are at the heart of that shift.”
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Online delivery was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
Continue reading…