Adapting retail and e-commerce supply chains for temporary protected persons: insights for developing urban logistics integration

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to examine how e-commerce and retail logistics can accelerate the economic integration of temporary protected persons (TPPs) in the European Union (EU), highlighting the unique retail and urban logistics challenges they pose compared to traditional refugees. Drawing on the Czech Republic context, where TPPs enjoy immediate legal status but often face cultural, linguistic and digital barriers, the paper sheds light on how these factors influence TPPs’ purchase channel choices. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey targeting both TPPs and local residents collected demographic, socioeconomic and consumer behavior data. A multinomial logistic regression model was then used to identify key determinants, such as age, gender, household size and income, influencing TPPs’ preference for online versus in-store shopping. Findings The study finds that while TPPs have legal access to local retail markets, their purchase channel preferences significantly differ from those of non-TPPs due to financial constraints, digital literacy gaps and trust in online platforms. Younger TPPs and those from larger households are more likely to engage in e-commerce, while lower-income and female TPPs prefer in-store shopping due to perceived reliability and product certainty. Additionally, the analysis indicates that non-TPPs are over three times more likely to shop online compared to TPPs, underscoring the digital divide between these consumer groups. Research limitations/implications By focusing on the Czech Republic, the study’s external validity outside this context is constrained. Future cross-country comparisons would clarify how varying integration policies and e-commerce ecosystems shape TPP behavior. Practical implications The findings underscore the need for multilingual e-commerce interfaces, flexible payment options (including cash-on-delivery) and targeted digital literacy training to bolster TPPs’ online uptake. Retailers, policymakers and humanitarian agencies can collaborate on last-mile delivery, localized distribution hubs and consumer education to support this growing segment. Social implications Enhanced retail access for TPPs fosters self-sufficiency, reduces reliance on humanitarian aid and supports community cohesion. Inclusive e-commerce strategies can mitigate social inequalities, highlighting the broader societal benefits of adapting supply chains to displaced consumer groups. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is among the first to investigate TPP purchasing behaviors specifically, complementing the humanitarian logistics literature. Its findings enrich theoretical models of acculturation and consumer choice by illustrating how temporary legal status interacts with cultural, digital and socioeconomic factors to shape retail decisions.