Category Archives: Courier Service

Amazon Takes Same-Day Delivery Into 11 More Cities

same day deliveryNo retailer has expected Amazon to expand Same-Day Delivery as it has, revolutionizing e-commerce and business trends.  Amazon’s precise and efficient logistical delivery systems has resulted in a higher shopper comfort level, causing the e-retailer to rapidly expand online.  Its’ current same-day delivery program is now expanding also.

In a recent report by Forbes, Amazon has announced that it has officially launched free same-day delivery in 11 more US cities.  Those major cities include Sacramento, Stockton, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Fresno, Louisville, Milwaukee, Nashville, Raleigh, Richmond,  and Tucson.  Prime members that place their orders by 12noon, will receive their items by 9pm the same day.  The service is available 7 days a week also.  Normally, same-day delivery will have a substantial window-time in order to make sure all deliveries are made on time.  Yet, Amazon even has Prime Now, which delivers online purchases within two hours.  The demographics and infrastructure of major US cities helps create effective same-day delivery programs like these.

The other previous cities that already have free same-day delivery include the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle-Tacoma, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Diego, New York, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, and Orlando.  Amazon also rolled out free same-day delivery last year in 14 metropolitan cities the US, starting with California cities.  The robust retailer has its’ sights on nationwide same-day delivery, and at this pace, Amazon will have it done within a few years.

Amazon Vice President of Prime Greg Greeley said in the article, “Prime was developed to make shopping on Amazon fast and convenient, and millions of members have used Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery to make their lives even easier.  We keep making Prime better, and as our operational capabilities grow, we will continue to invent and expand delivery options that customers love.”  The retail leader’s Prime fee can account for between $4 billion and almost $6 billion in revenue annually, based on estimates in the range of 40 million to 60 million members.  It makes sense that Amazon is after making Prime bigger and bigger.

Earlier this year, Amazon even raised its’ minimum online order amounts for non-Prime members from $35 to $49 to qualify for free shipping.  For about a decade, Amazon’s minimum order threshold was $25 until 2013, which when it first went up to $35.  Now, it’s locked in at an even higher amount.  The new threshold has been created in hopes to drive regular customers into being all in with Amazon and become actual Prime members.  The annual fee from Prime assures Amazon of customer loyalty and revenue, along with whatever it makes from sales.

With online shopping is expected to reach $500 billion by 2018, retailers need to get on board with creating the omnichannels to link in-store to online sales via same-day delivery.  Amazon is leading the way, as well as Google, Macy’s, and more.  Several companies partner with an efficient Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier to implement same-day delivery.  The Sacramento Courier is well-known for being able to launch massive roll-outs of the service on a national scale.  1-800 Courier has the courier expertise and technology that retailers are after to build a successful platform for same-day services.

Reference: 4.8.16,www.forbes.com, Amit Chowdhry, Amazon Adds 11 More Cities To Same-Day Delivery Service

Whole Foods Expands Same-Day Grocery In California and Baltimore

same day groceries

same day groceries

It’s not a light matter when Whole Foods is getting aggressive regarding Same-Day Delivery of groceries.  What seemed to be impossible to figure out, more and more retailers are finding the right mix to make same-day grocery delivery successful.  Whole Foods is moving steady and from its’ recent move, it’s clear that the supermarket chain could be aiming to go nationwide with the service.

Internet Retailer recently reported that Whole Foods is again expanding its same-day grocery services, working with mobile grocery shopping app Instacart.  Whole Foods has been working with Instacart since 2014 and has been growing the service ever since.  Instacart CEO Apoorva Mehta commented in the article regarding their growth with Whole Foods, stating “Instacart and Whole Foods Market share a mutual commitment to providing our customers with the easiest and most seamless grocery shopping experience possible.  We look forward to continuing to innovate with Whole Foods Market in the services that we can bring to users.”  Just like other store retailers, Whole Foods is creating the omnichannels that make in-store and online food selling seamless.

The new growth means that Whole Foods will be adding an unspecified number of markets in which it will offer same-day grocery delivery, in addition to the 17 metro areas where Whole Foods customers already have the Instacart delivery option.  Shoppers can order groceries from Whole Foods via Instacart’s mobile app or website in major US cities such as Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. and more.  So far, the announcement only discussed the new expansion markets to include Orange County, California, and Baltimore.  However, Whole Foods desires to reach customers on the go, and it wouldn’t be a surprise that more cities are to come.

Grocery same-day delivery is just like any other retailer that offers the service with non-perishable items.  The pricing must be low and attractive, yet at the competitive and cost-effective.  Whole Foods’ grocery delivers within a one-hour window for $5.99, as well as a two-hour window for $3.99.  Food has to be delivered consistently fast and accurate.  To meet this type of demand, most supermarket chains and retailers partner with a Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier to perform the actual delivery services.  The Baltimore Courier has the courier expertise and technology to match the e-commerce that comes with a mobile app.

To add to what Whole Foods is doing, the supermarket chain is offering customers online coupons.  Just last month, Whole Foods released online coupons through Instacart’s mobile app as well.  The key is getting new shoppers, even loyal customers, try the food delivery service and then this could position Whole Foods for repeat delivery sales.  With Google, AmazonFresh and other e-retailers engaging in grocery retail, Whole Foods is going to need more strategic innovation such as this online.

Reference:  3.10.16, www.internetretailer.com, Matt Linder, Whole Foods expands delivery services with Instacart

Nordstrom Forecasts 30% Online Growth, Yet How To Cut Delivery Costs

online shopping

online shopping

What makes online retail a gold mine is that it’s limited only by the innovation of the retailers themselves.  It is companies like Amazon that are showing others how to get it done, by maximizing their e-commerce potential.  Nordstrom is one department store leader that is looking to get a grasp on balancing online profit and the very costs of providing it.  Nordstrom Chief financial officer Mike Koppel talked about in a recent article regarding Nordstrom’s dilemma.  He stated if “anyone out there” who has figured it out, because “we have a lot of work to do.”

The report from the Internet Retailer via Bloomberg News stated that Nordstrom expect online sales to account for 30% of its’ business by 2020.  This shows that there will be some form of uptick for the retailer with shoppers desiring to shop online.  Online retail itself is set to reach $500 billion by 2018.  As time goes on and business trends begin to evolve, e-commerce is going to take a greater role in generate revenue for brick-and-mortar stores like Nordstrom.  The key moving beyond the obstacles in its way.

Koppel talked about in the article what Norstrom was facing and what was hurting the company’s bottom line.  The article stated, “He explained that the “old model”—big physical stores located mostly in malls—came with high fixed costs, but high leverage. In other words, you had to pour a lot of money into literal bricks and mortar to build stores and train staff, but once your sales reached a sort of break-even point, all the rest was gravy. In essence, the money from a banner sales year could flow straight down to the bottom line once those initial costs were paid for. And that became pretty easy to anticipate and plan against.

Enter the Internet, where the promise of high profits came from the theory that a retailer could sell stuff without having to pay for the overhead expenses of operating locations and hiring lots of labor. Not exactly”, Koppel said.What’s happening is online sales comes with low fixed costs, but the price tag has high variable costs.  This means that the more Nordstrom sells online, the more it spends on operating costs, such as pick, pack and deliver those goods.  And now, “business has been flattening in malls and growing in e-commerce, and so the two strong trends are impacting operating margins,” Koppel told analysts.  The great thing going for Nordstrom is that its’ customers who shop both online and in stores spend three to four times as much there than those who shop just one channel.  Nordstrom may be able to do what some other big name retailers have done, which is implement online store pick up and Same-Day Delivery.  Macy’s and Wal-Mart have all implement both services.

A Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier is a viable option to develop cost-effective, same-day service solutions that will attract online shoppers by meeting a demand for convenience.  Technology is driving online growth and the Boston Courier has the delivery expertise to take Nordstrom to the next level online.

Reference:  3.14.16, www.internetretailer.com, Bloomberg News, E-commerce eats into Nordstrom’s profits, and that’s OK

Kate Spade Set To Launch In-Store Pick Up Online Services

Online ShoppingThe growth online isn’t making it easy for retail manufacturers.  The way shoppers have changed their perspective on making their purchases is causing retailers to revamp how to customers into their stores.  One service that companies are opting to offer is online order and in-store pick up services.  It allows customers to take advantage of a value-added convenience service, and at the same time, physical store retailers are able to get traffic into their doors.

Internet Retailer recently reported that luxury apparel and accessories manufacturer Kate Spade is planning to officially launch a buy online, pick up in store program later this year.  The company tested the service late last year and had success.  Within the article, Chief operating officer George Carrara said, “We know that regardless of which (way) she actually transacts, whether that’s online or in a store, that that journey is increasingly starting in the online space, which is certainly advantageous to us in terms of our ability to tell great stories and build engagement in the online experience”.

The fourth quarter numbers show all the reasons why Spade is deciding to offer the service.  It’s net revenue last year went up 7.6% to $429.0 million, from $398.6 million the previous year.  Sales from Kate Spade North America reached $371.3 million, up 13.7% from $326.7 million.  Yet at the same time, sales from Kate Spade International of $52.1 million, down 13.3% from $60.1 million the year prior.  Also, the retailer’s net income went drastically down to $61.5 million, a 51.4% drop from $126.5 million.

One company that has added in-store pick up to its’ repertoire is Wal-Mart.  The retail leader has implemented Wal-MarttoGo in several major US cities.  Wal-MarttoGo allows customers to place their orders online and perform their own pick-up at select Wal-Mart stores.  Loyal customers may already be planning to shop there, and the service only gives them another option to shop online if they choose to.  This results in retaining loyal customers.

Another service that Wal-Mart, Macy’s, Amazon, Google, and others have implemented that Kate Spade may consider is launching Same-Day Delivery this year as well.  Since it tested its’ store pick up program during the holidays last year, Spade could test same-day delivery within a small market this year.  Same-day delivery is expected to reach $987 million by 2019 in the US, which has a lot to do with online retail growth.

A Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier partners with a variety of retailers and businesses nationwide, implementing optimal same-day logistic solutions.  The Dallas Courier has the delivery expertise to help any company excel online.

Reference: 3.7.16, www.internetretailer.com, Matt Linder, Kate Spade will launch buy online, pickup in store

Amazon ‘s Minimum Order For Free Shipping Goes Up

Online shoppingIf there’s one thing for sure, Amazon knows what it’s doing providing Prime members free two-day shipping.  Since shoppers feel they have a level of peace of mind with using Amazon throughout the year, it’s a deal that appears to be well worth it.  With its’ latest move, Amazon now has decided to, at the least, test the waters to see if non-Prime members will come on board, expanding its’ already dominating market share online.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Amazon has announced that it is raising its’ minimum online order amounts for non-Prime members from $35 to $49 to qualify for free shipping.  The new threshold is said to be an incentive for regular customers to become Prime members.  For $99 annually, Prime members get to receive free unlimited two-day shipping, in addition to streaming movie and music service.  For roughly a decade, Amazon’s minimum order threshold was $25 until 2013, which the retailer took the amount up to $35.

Amazon has reasons to make Prime bigger.  The article mentioned how the retail leader’s annual Prime fee can account for between $4 billion and almost $6 billion in revenue per year, based on estimates in the range of 40 million to 60 million members.  Also, Prime customers spend about double what non-members do over the course of the year, so it makes sense why Amazon is analyzing what can get border line non-members to switch to Prime.

The increase in the minimum amount also has to do with Amazon’s pursuit to contain its’ shipping costs.  The article stated that shipping expenses went up by 37%, equating to $4.17 billion in the last quarter of 2015.  This meant as a percentage of sales, its’ shipping costs increased 12.5%, up from 10.9% in 2014.   In response to order amount increase, Amazon only stated that “from time to time, we review our shipping options.”  With it still being early in the year, the retailer could be attempting to recoup for from the higher shipping expenses.  It also could be preparing to make sure it doesn’t have the same shipping cost results this year.  The more that customers order, the more revenue is generated to offset shipping costs.

With online shopping is expected to reach to $500 billion by 2018, Amazon knows the time is now to continue its’ momentum as the leading US e-retailer.
The competition is already locked in with the same $49 minimum, even higher.  Wal-Mart’s minimum is $50, Jet.com is at $35 and Target offers a minimum of $25.  Amazon’s shift to a higher minimum will get the attention of other retailers and they will shift their shipping options, if they deem it necessary to gain market share.  Some retailers have turned to Same-Day Delivery to attract shoppers as well.

A number of retailers and businesses have partnered with 1-800 Courier is a New Jersey Courier on the service aspect of fulfilling orders once their purchased online.  The Same-Day Courier utilizes the latest in courier technology to assist companies in maximizing their e-retail operations and devise shipping strategies to compete with Amazon, Macy’s and more.

Reference: 2.22.16, www.wsj.com, Greg Bensinger, Amazon Boosts Free-Shipping Minimum to $49, Elevating Prime Service

Snapdeal and dPronto Grow Same-Day Delivery in India

Global shipping conceptIn the US, various big name retail companies are partnering together to get the best out of their e-commerce via Same-Day Delivery.  It is not only swiping across the US to capture more online sales, it is also moving beyond just a trend worldwide.  Same-day delivery has a forecasted increase to $987 million by 2019 in the US.  With the online retail growth in other countries, the service will probably be even higher in those countries as well.  For all the right reasons, two companies in India have decided to make a strategic move, and it involves using same-day delivery to go to the next level.

First Post recently reported that Snapdeal and dPronto have partnered in an effort to offer same-day delivery throughout India.  The partnership will enable Snapdeal to expand it’s customer base into 600 towns across the country, utilizing dPronto’s delivery staff to perform the actual deliveries.  The delivery expert is a last-mile delivery company with a niche of working with e-commerce companies (including hyperlocal market places), offering them last mile logistics services.  DPronto executes their services by leveraging trained fresh manpower supply, disruptive technology and efficient processes that minimize delivery turnaround times and optimize costs.

DPronto’s trained delivery staff will pick up packages from Snapdeal’s sellers or fulfillment centers, and then, deliver the packages to Snapdeal customers the same day.  Whenever a company expands same-day delivery, the last thing a retailer wants to compromise accuracy and on-time service.  With fast service comes a high level of demand for both of these core competencies.  Snapdeal currently has an on-time success rate of 90% with same day delivery, yet will it be able to effectively handle the increase.

DPronto also will be created more jobs there, in particular for India’s youth.  Ashish Chitravanshi, Vice President, Operations at Snapdeal, commented on the initiative stating, “dPronto’s initiative of empowering the less privileged youth by making them employable is highly commendable.  We are excited to be partnering with them to further strengthen our last mile delivery capabilities as we remain committed to our promise of catering to every customer in every pin code.”

Macy’s is an example of a retailer that joined with start-up company Deliv to meet online fulfillment demand from their stores.  Initially, Macy’s used Deliv to perform same-day delivery in 8 major US cities, which included Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Houston, Washington DC, New Jersey, and Chicago.  Sister company Bloomingdale’s also launched the service in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Chicago also.  Macy’s now has same-day delivery in at least 17 markets, leading the way right along with Amazon.

Like Snapdeal, retailers and other businesses can partner with a Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier to expand their e-commerce reach and expand with same-day delivery across the US.  The New York Courier has the nationwide footprint to accommodate any big company with multiple big city locations with last-mile deliveries.  The courier is a trusted source for accurate and on-time same-day logistic solutions.

Reference: 3.3.16, www.firstpost.com, FP Staff, Snapdeal partners with dPronto to expand its customer base for same day delivery

UPS Invests In Deliv To Study Same-Day Delivery

UPS TruckThe time for UPS to expand into Same-Day Delivery could be forming right before us with its’ recent announcement.  Business Insider has reported that UPS has made a strategic investment into start-up company Deliv in order to study the same-day delivery model, analyzing how that market segment evolves.  Same-day delivery is forecasted to reach $987 million by 2019.  This is probably one reason that the world’s largest package delivery company is making strides to get on board with the popular service.

UPS’s managing director of the UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund, Rimas Kapeskas, commented about the investment in the phone interview.  He said, “We don’t participate in the on-demand business as much, and the consumer side of this is still a bit of a mystery to us.  This is a rapidly evolving marketplace and we thought we could learn more by being close to it.”  This is the venture arm of UPS, which is leading a $28 million funding round for Palo Alto, California-based Deliv.  The article didn’t disclose the investment size being committed to the venture, yet it did state that UPS will take a minority stake in Deliv and sit in on board meetings.

UPS and Deliv are learning from one another.  “We are solving a different problem in the last mile,” Deliv Chief Executive Daphne Carmeli stated in a phone interview also.  She went on to say, “and they (UPS) are looking to learn that model and looking to learn about growth in same-day delivery as we are interested to learn from their success.”  Both have their respective niches to help each other gain more ground, ultimately to compete against Amazon.

In recent years, Amazon has built strategically-placed order fulfillment centers in order to implement what it is doing now–same-day delivery.  It also has same-day delivery in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle-Tacoma, Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Boston, Phoenix, San Diego, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and New York.  Last year, Amazon launched free same-day delivery last year in 14 metropolitan cities the US, beginning with California cities, in addition to free same-day delivery in Orlando and Chicago.

The e-retailer is creating much distance between itself and its’ competitors.  From starting to open store locations to pursuing more Prime members, Amazon is a fast moving train, even with stepping into direct competition with UPS and FedEx.  The retail leader is planning to develop a global delivery network, beginning in China.  Online package deliveries is big for Amazon also and China’s e-commerce is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2020, meeting the demand of 900 million shoppers.  A global delivery network will result in customers not having to choose  UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others for shipping.  They will be able to ship directly via Amazon.com.

UPS has some ground work to do in order to not only implement same-day delivery, but to do it effectively.  Either way, same-day delivery is growing at a rapid pace and shows no signs of slowing down. Google, Macy’s, Kohl’s, BestBuy, and more are all on board with the service, and it is changing the way we do business.  1-800 Courier is a Nationwide Same-Day Courier that retailers and delivery companies can partner with to establish optimal same-day solutions.  The Chicago Courier has the courier expertise and technology to help capture business in today’s e-commerce market.

Reference: 2.22.16, businessinsider.com, Nick Carey/Mari Saito, With Deliv investment, UPS hopes to study same-day delivery market

Overstock 4th Quarter Sales Low, But Same-Day Delivery Can Create Growth

online shoppingIt takes a lot for online companies to remain steady and have revenue success with their business model.  Overstock.com has been just like other big e-retailers, seeking after capturing more market share, not to mention competing with the likes of Amazon.  The numbers show that Overstock didn’t have quite the big year it desired, yet it still did grow.

Overstock.com grew revenue last year, being at an increase of 10.7%.  This equated to of $1.66 billion, up from $1.50 billion in 2014. However, sales growth was slower during the fourth quarter, going up by only 2.1%, a difference of $480.3 million from $470.4 million the prior year.  This is found to be interesting being that the fourth quarter is the highlight for retail sales, especially to make up for any quarter losses in the prior quarters of the year.  Overstock could have been looking to have generated more revenue between Black Friday and Christmas.

What could be at the source of the low revenue was due to Overstock’s increasing popularity of its’ multi-tiered Club O loyalty program.  The article stated that per the e-retailer’s filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, it changed Club O into a two-tiered system, silver and gold, that allows shoppers to earn rewards instead of coupons, which may have hurt Overstock’s short-term numbers.  A key figure was that the company’s gross profit in the fourth quarter went down 2.7%, equating $83.1 million, which is down from $85.4 million in 2014.

Overstock.com did comment in the article regarding the impact of its’ shift from coupons to a rewards system for its’ customers.  Overstock stated, “We believe that the shift from coupons to rewards will benefit us in the long term, but we have experienced some difficulties with the transition, and in the short term we believe it slowed our revenue growth as customers take time to become accustomed to this change.  We are continuing to test and refine our approach in this transition.”

Also during last year’s fourth quarter, Overstock.com’s partner revenue went up to $446.7 million.  This was a 4.4% jump from $427.8 million the year prior.  Partner revenue involved Overstock orders that were fulfilled by other retailers that sell through its’ website.  Many companies are finding that what can boost sales is the offer Same-Day Delivery as an option for shoppers to get their online items faster.  Retail leaders like Amazon, Google, Macy’s, and more all have the perspective that to grow in today’s market, the delivery aspect of online retail is becoming just as vital as the actual customer purchase itself.

With online shopping is expected to reach to $500 billion by 2018, companies like Overstock.com which will result in more and more companies seeking after delivery companies that have the technology to literally get customers online items where they are.  1-800 Courier is a Chicago Courier that is a viable option for any retailer to partner with for optimal same-day solutions.  The Same-Day Courier uses the latest in courier technology to help companies deliver nationwide, from in-store pick ups to fulfilling orders online.

Reference: 2.10.16, www.internetretailer.com, Matt Lindner, Overstock.com’s sales grow 2.1% in Q4, 10.7% for the year

Technology Driving Same-Day Delivery for Online Retail

courier serviceNo one is taking lightly the innovation that technology has brought to online retail.  The advances have amounted to shoppers having instant access to what retailers are offering, and to meet the rising demand to get items into their hands fast, Same-Day Delivery is being coupled with technology to make it happen.  Various apps are now being incorporated by delivery companies that are performing the transportation piece of online order fulfillment, such as Uber’s application programming interface (API) into its’ app in order to provide last-mile deliveries.

It has been reported by Multichannel Merchant that Uber is looking to expand its’ current UberRUSH program for retailers, which is its’ model of same-day delivery.  Uber was initially set up for picking up and transporting people, yet now the delivery company has extended its’ services to delivering online products.  A crowdsourcing approach allows everyday people to be drivers, stationed nationwide to do delivers for its’ retail partners.  This cannot be effective without the technology of Uber’s API system.  Uber’s app is used by several retail and delivery partners, which include T-Mobile, 1-800-Flowers, Nordstrom, Rent the Runway and Google Express.

Curbside is another company that has added the UberRUSH option via the API.  Company co-founder and CEO Jaron Waldman mentioned in the report that it was a logical extension of Curbside’s bread-and-butter offering, giving retailers more options for fast delivery.  For example, someone could order an item for pickup from Curbside, change their mind for whatever reason and have it delivered via Uber.

Waldman talked more about same-day delivery further stating, “This was driven by interest from our retail partners, one in particular who was very focused on Uber.  With the growing interest in same-day delivery for retail, integrating the UberRUSH API into our core offering is a seamless way to hook into a fantastic same-day offering for consumers. If you save 10 minutes for customers by extending our store pickup option in this way, it’s pretty powerful.”  Some Curbside clients include Target, Best Buy, CVS and Walgreens.

Uber also talked what delivery providers have found a niche in adding value and saving on transportation costs for retailers and businesses.  Uber stated in a blog post, “We’re excited about how (UberRUSH) supports local businesses, but we also know that a lot of companies – and their customers – are looking for an easy way to get items delivered more quickly.  Many companies rely on automated operations, have complex logistics networks or are in need of a more flexible solution that can fit their business and customers’ needs.”  Every delivery company, such as a Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier, is able to use technology to streamline supply chains and connect omnichannels for retailers to fulfilling online orders.

Technology will be driver for the forecasted online retail growth to come.  Online shopping is expected to reach to $500 billion by 2018, which will result in more and more companies seeking after delivery companies that have the technology to literally get customers online items where they are.  1-800 Courier is a Chicago Courier that is a viable option for any retailer to partner with for optimal same-day solutions.  The courier uses the latest in courier technology to help companies deliver nationwide.

Reference: 3.2.16, Multichannel Merchant, Mike O’Brien, UberRUSH Gains Retail Partners with New Same-Day Delivery API

Shoppers Comfort Level Grows In Europe Online

Courier ServiceIt’s time for online shopping to become more of staple in the business world and the numbers show it.  Retailers in the US are going forward with innovation and strategy to take e-commerce higher, yet the driver behind it all is the shopper demand.  Internet Retailer has reported that shopper demand is not only growing in US, but also abroad in Europe.

The article discussed how 53% of consumers in Europe bought something online in 2015.  It mentioned that the proportion of consumers age 16-74 who made a purchase online within the 12 months prior to the survey stood at 53% last year, compared with 43% in a 2012 via the EU statistic agency Eurostat report.  This means that online shopping increased10% in three years there.  The percentage represents a high-water mark and exceeds the European Commission’s Digital Agenda goals for technology adoption in the region.

Eurostat also found in the survey that 81% of individuals in the target age group in the 28-country European Union used the Internet in the 12 months prior to a new survey, and 65% of those regular internet users bought or ordered goods or services for private use.  This means that there are repeat shoppers that are buying online more and more on a regular basis confirming Europe likes it.  This is an increase of 15% since 2007.  Also, Eurostat found that 30% of European online shoppers purchased goods or services from sellers in other EU countries, which is up from 25% in a 2012.  18% of shoppers bought from sellers outside the EU, compared to 13% in 2012 as well.

Retailers realize the magnitude of making their products accessible and convenient online.  Shoppers have mobile devices at their disposal to be able place an online order in an instant.  This is the store that retailers are pouring investments into to make sure they capture the market that isn’t step foot into their physical doors.  Online retail is forecasted to reach $500 billion by 2018, and retailers are getting their position set, as e-commerce is shifting how we do business, just like cell phones shifted way we daily communicate.  Big name retailers are even now taking their web presence farther by offering same-day delivery, not only in the US, but also globally.

For example, Amazon has not only expanded with same-day delivery in the US, but it is establishing its’ delivery foundation in England via acquisitions.  Wal-Mart engages in some same-day delivery.  Last year, Wal-Mart has fully acquired Yihaodian to establish its’ online retail presence in China.  Amazon is looking compete in China also, which same-day delivery will probably be utilized also.  Online retail is expected to hit $1 trillion by 2019 there.

Macy’s is one physical store retailer that has seen where online shopping is headed and made strides since 2013 to offer one of the highest levels of convenience with same-day delivery.  The department store leader partnered with delivery company Deliv a few years ago and has consistently expanded since within several major US cities.  Last year, Kohl’s rolled out same-day delivery in six more major US cities, including Los Angeles, Brooklyn/Queens, Northern New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, and Miami.  E-commerce has grown 40% annually and same-day delivery is forecasted to grow to $987 million by 2019.  It appears the stage is set for retailers to provide the optimal online sales and delivery model ever for customers in years to come.

Online shopping is increasing in Europe, as trust in technology only adds to customers becoming more comfortable.  The convenience factor is what retailers want to bring to the table with same-day delivery and a Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier is helping them do so. The Phoenix Courier is a viable option to join comfort with convenience to meet US shopper demand.

Reference: 1.22.16, www.internetretailer.com, Bill Briggs, Europeans grow more comfortable shopping online