Transportation and logistics provider XPO Logistics Inc. is betting that the future of home delivery service involves large and bulky purchases, such as furniture and appliances, and has expanded its last-mile network to handle the heavy products, the firm said today.

Greenwich, Conn.-based XPO said it has completed a project to nearly double the number of last-mile service hubs it operates to 85 locations, an initiative the company announced in 2017.

The last-mile network expansion includes specialized staff who can perform services such as inspections, repairs, pre-assemblies, and other value-added services in preparation for delivery, XPO said. New sites in that network include facilities in Birmingham, Ala.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Long Island, N.Y.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Milwaukee, Wisc.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Washington, D.C.

XPO says its investment will pay off because consumers are buying ever-larger goods online. A survey released today by XPO shows that one in three U.S. online shoppers (37 percent) plans to purchase furniture, appliances, or other bulky products weighing over 150 pounds within the next 12 months. The e-commerce study was conducted in October by consumer research firm Goodmind.

XPO says its expanded delivery network will help it handle that rising demand by placing hubs in close proximity to consumers to ensure rapid delivery times for heavy goods. "The message from consumers is compelling - people want to order heavy goods online from their favorite brands, and they expect a great experience," XPO Logistics President Troy Cooper said in a release. "We've expanded our last mile network to 85 hubs, putting us within 125 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. We're taking the lead in significantly reducing transit times so that consumers receive their purchases faster and stress-free."