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Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, Digital Transformation Strategy (145-slide PowerPoint presentation). Digital Transformation is being embraced by organizations across most industries, as the role of technology shifts from being a business enabler to a business driver. This has only been accelerated by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Thus, to remain competitive and outcompete in today's fast paced, [read more]
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Changes and improvements in parcel delivery options will give a boost to e-commerce sites in 2015, according to a new report by Fastlane International.
The internet retail delivery and international parcel market is poised for some “significant developments” next year, including increased delivery options, the growth of Sunday and same-day delivers, better ‘signature’ proof systems and even the developments in drones.
CSM Consultants Grant Stanley commented: “We are expecting 2015 to outperform even the technology-powered e-commerce revolution of 2014. Retailers have paid lip-service to the idea that the customer is king, or queen, for many years; but today they really are. No longer do companies decide how much stock might be available in any store, or how many days it might take to deliver.
“We were in a push-economy, with manufacturers and retailers calling the shots. Now we are in a pull-economy: customers are in the driving seat, and are deciding exactly when and where they want their products. The good news is that research is showing delivery improvements could potentially boost online sales by £16bn.”
Increasing real-time delivery options will be the most significant factor for change in 2015, giving customers one-hour delivery windows, better rescheduling options and real-time tracking services, so they can follow their delivery driver en-route.
Grant commented: “This innovation was made possible through the growing use of GPS satellite tracking systems. We predict by the end of next year a number of more dynamic companies will be offering full real time information and ‘in flight’ delivery change options in the UK and US.”
Sunday deliveries will also be more widespread, as well as same day deliveries, which are expected to expand over the next 12 months. Additionally, better signature proof systems, including using cameras to see exactly who signed for an item, will reduce the number of lost and missing parcels, and fewer allegations against couriers.
Amazon is expected to continue pushing the use of drone technology in the United States, while the numbers of cut-price, untrained delivery drivers are expected to fall.
Grant explained: “A number of parcel delivery firms have spectacularly failed to cope with demand this year. Our industry is proud of its achievements. However, some low-cost delivery companies continue to capture headlines for all the wrong reasons.
“It won’t be long before consumers wise-up to those companies who are failing to meet basic delivery standards, and, even more significantly, stop doing business with those retailers who continue to use them. Internet retailers should not be penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to customer satisfaction.”
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