The impact of digital freight network development on household consumption in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region

Against the backdrop of consumption-driven economic growth in China, the platform economy plays a crucial role in unlocking residents’ consumption potential. In particular, digital freight networks have enhanced the convenience and diversity of consumer spending by reducing costs, improving efficiency, and expanding service coverage. Based on digital freight platform data from the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region from 2020 to 2023, this paper constructs digital freight network indicators using complex network metrics, systematically revealing the impact and mechanisms of regional freight digital transformation on household consumption. The findings indicate that: (1) the development of the digital freight network has significantly improved overall household consumption in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region; (2) the digital freight networks positively influence consumption by increasing residents’ income and reducing logistics costs, with income acting as a mediating factor; (3) the impact of the digital freight network on consumption varies across cities, primarily boosting consumption in core cities, while its effect on peripheral cities remains limited. This leads to imbalanced regional consumption development and an underutilization of synergistic effects. The results have important policy implications, suggesting that to promote household consumption, efforts should be made to accelerate the construction of digital infrastructure, narrow regional disparities, and strengthen income-enhancing mechanisms, thereby maximizing the role of digital freight networks in driving consumption and fostering coordinated regional development.