Tag Archives: Courier Service

Sainsbury Tests Same-Day Grocery Delivery in 30 Stores

We’ve seen Amazon pioneer successfully a wave of engagement into Same-Day Delivery of groceries with Amazon Fresh in the US.  From Seattle to New York, the service is in a variety of markets in the US, in addition to launching it in London.  Now same-day grocery is growing in London and BBC Radio talked with grocery chain leader Sainsbury about the service and where it’s headed.

BBC Radio in London has discussed how same-day grocery service is becoming more and more attractive for supermarkets.  Three out of the big four have become involved with implementing and testing online grocery delivery.  Tesco is testing the service in London and the South-East, Morrisons has partnered with Amazon Fresh and Sainsbury’s is piloting it in 30 stores. Grocery retailer Asda has not decided to jump into same-day groceries yet.

Sainsbury is currently testing same-day grocery delivery in 30 stores, and has its’ sites on expansion.  However, the grocery chain leader wants to work out all of the kinks before it does.  Right now with the stores that are offering same-day grocery service, a customer can place their order online by midday and have it delivered that evening.  The fee can be up to 9 pounds, which equates to a little over $11 US dollars.  Orders made by subscribers, or over 100 pounds, would be be free.

One of the primary hurdles for delivering groceries fast has always been costs.  It could be a challenge to generate a profit.  Same-day grocery delivery goes beyond the transportation element.  It entails the pick and packing costs, storage, employee, and other operational expenses specific to the business that could be involved.  Sainsbury mentioned that its’ focus was on giving its’ customers what they want, and relative to taking a loss to offer same-day grocery delivery, it would consider individual store costs on a whole scale.

The radio did a spotlight of a grocery store worker picking and packing an online order.  One part of the process discussed was the actual selecting of the fresh fruit and vegetable items that are ordered.  Although time is critical, the employee stated they had to make sure that the foods selected were ripe and fresh, even something themselves would pick.  With grocery delivery already with a small margin at start-up, choosing the wrong food items or selecting rotten fruit could result in re-delivery costs, as well as customer loss.

An actual delivery by Sainsbury was made that afternoon and BBC went along with them.  The Sainsbury store packed up 45 orders to deliver.  One customer delivered to when asked about same-day grocery service, said that he used it before and it was good. Upon delivery, when asked about the cost of it, the customer stated they paid 5 pounds and that it was fine.

Convenience is heavily trending right now and the retailer that can meet customer demand, will be the ones that thrive. A Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier can partner with grocery stores that are seeking to test and implement the service in the US.  The Los Angeles Courier has a national footprint and the delivery expertise to develop an optimal same-day grocery service solution that works.

Reference: 1.25.17, BBC News, Why same-day online food shopping is the next big thing

With Distribution Challenges, Neiman Marcus Quarter Sales Down

Taking a look at their distribution system, Neiman Marcus observed areas of development that it could improve on.  The retailer implemented a new cross-channel merchandising system, which costs Neiman Marcus up to $35 million during its fiscal first quarter.  According to a new article, the investment resulted in overall losses due to inventory issues and order fulfillment.

Internet Retailer reported how their retailers has had first fiscal quarter losses for 2017 due to facing distribution problems.  Neiman Marcus stated, “These issues primarily related to the processing of inventory receipts at our distribution centers, the transfers of inventories to our stores and the presentation of inventories on our websites.  These issues prevented us from fulfilling certain customer demand in both our stores and websites that we estimate resulted in approximately $30 to $35 million of unrealized revenue.”

Since this fiscal quarter occurs during the holiday season, Neiman Marcus’ challenges have impacted sales revenue online.  Neiman Marcus reported online sales accounted for 29.2% of overall sales in the first quarter, which ended October 29th, at $315.1 million.  This figure is down from $315.7 million from the previous year.  In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Neiman Marcus revealed problems that related to the implementation of NMG One, its new cross-channel merchandising and distribution system.  It resulted in a negative impact on online and offline sales.  More specific numbers mentioned in the report were Neiman Marcus’ earnings, which  included:

  • A year-over-year total comparable sales decline of 8.0%, compared to a 5.6% decline last year.
  • Net revenue of $1.079 billion, down 7.4% from $1.165 billion.
  • A net loss of $23.5 million, compared to a net loss of $10.5 million.

Companies like Amazon not only have sophisticated distribution systems, but also have coupled it with Same-Day Delivery to literally meet online shoppers right where they are.  Amazon has engaged same-day delivery into its’ supply chain, even offering it free in 27 major US markets.  Amazon Prime is in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, Orlando, Chicago, Raleigh, New York, Atlanta, Tampa, and more. Optimal distribution system inefficiencies has been the key foundation for Amazon, yet the company is still only an e-retailer providing same-day delivery.  Retailers like Neiman Marcus can partner with a Chicago Courier like 1-800 Courier and fulfill online orders directly from their stores.

Same-day delivery is revolutionizing the way we ship to the end customer.  Nordstrom’s,Best Buy, PetSmart, Toys-R-Us, and others have all implemented some level of same-day delivery, using their store locations as close proximity warehousing, using them to carry inventory.  Macy’s is fulfilling online orders with same-day delivery in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, Chicago, New Jersey, Washington DC, and more.  With over 880 store locations, the department store leader has shifted with e-commerce trends and distribution centers have the added supply chain to deliver items to customer’s front door.  Neiman Marcus can use Nationwide Courier to develop a same-day logistics solution to create the omnichannels to help strengthen its’ distribution system.

Reference:  12.15.16, www.internetretailer, Matt Lindern, Distribution problems cost Neiman Marcus during its first quarter

China Malls Traffic Down, Compete With E-Commerce Via Same-Day Delivery

China is on pace to grow its’ e-commerce at a more faster rate than ever before.  Alibaba, China’s largest e-retailer, is driving a lot more traffic via its’ online store versus shoppers physically going out to make their purchases.  A recent article shows how indeed the malls in China are experiencing less traffic and it hurting sales.  With the expectations of the retail industry to generally make up for any quarter losses and boost sales, these November results are not what mall owners and retailers want to hear during the holiday season.

Internet Retailer via Bloomberg News discussed in an article about how China mall traffic id decreasing and is directly affected by e-commerce. This was due to a surge of online shopping activity for the holiday season, according to Baidu, operator of China’s dominant search engine, and JD.com.  It stated that China’s wealthy consumers are shopping online for more pricier items from e-retailers like Alibaba, which made $18 billion in one day during the month of November and Same-Day Delivery attracts customers as well.  This attests to how online shopping is moving beyond just being a trend globally.

“China’s two-speed scenario is having a major impact on the country’s retail industry,” Jason Yu, general manager for China at consumer research firm Kantar Worldpanel, said in a report.  He also stated, “This massive explosion of online sales growth is being fueled by increasing diversification in the categories purchased online, as well as huge gains in imported products and consumers taking advantage of promotions.”

In regards to the overall trends of retail in China, Matthew Hassan, a Sydney-based senior economist at Westpac Banking Corp., said in the article, “The gradual improvement in the consumer mood over the last two years, from extreme lows in late 2014, seems to again be losing its way.  With confidence still materially below long-run averages and consumers still concerned about job security and the economic outlook the consumer recovery is clearly still fragile.”

Although malls are being affected by online retail, these same stores can implement same-day delivery to move product and deliver them to customers.  Macy’s partnered with Deliv and launched same-day delivery in multiple major US cities last year in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Houston, Chicago, New Jersey, and Washington DC, in addition to adding more.  Its’ sister company Bloomingdale’s also launched the service in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Chicago.

Mall retailers experiencing the same downturns in the US, can have a Nationwide Courier like 1-800 Courier to develop a same-day solution also.  The Houston Courier has a national footprint, able to pick up and deliver from malls. Online retail is expected to reach $500 billion by 2018, and malls can partner with 1-800 Courier to get their store product sold via omnichannels that connect physical store to online sales growth.

Reference:  12.12.16, www.internetretailer.com, Bloomberg News, China’s e-commerce boom shrinks mall shopping traffic

Amazon Completes First Drone Delivery in England

Amazon has reached an unmatched pinnacle for Same-Day Delivery, as now the e-retail leader has officially completed its’ first drone delivery.

Fox News released an article discussing the first delivery for Amazon Prime Air via drone in Cambridge, England. It appears that drones won’t be used to shipping any heavy items. The delivery comprised of an Amazon Fire TV and some popcorn, which weighed less than 5 pounds.  The total time of delivery was only 13 minutes, which is beyond impressive, but revolutionary.  Amazon says that drones will only take 30 minutes to deliver its’ packages.  In light of what most retailers do in their shipping time frames, 30 minutes will shift many shoppers to getting their items online, instead of stores.

Globally, we are already seeing glimpses of how attractive online retail is becoming. For example, China’s mall traffic decreased in as more November, being that wealthier shoppers are saving their time and enjoy the level of convenience it brings.  This is during the busiest shopping season of the year, which is consistently the most profitable season for malls.  In contrast, China’s largest e-retailer Alibaba, made $18 billion in one day.  Alibaba doesn’t use drones, but does have a robust online retail operation, even offering a same-day delivery option.

Amazon is the largest e-retailer in the US and is expanding at a high rate, utilizing fast delivery options to attract customers as well.  Amazon Prime is a free service in a total of 27 major US cities, which include cities like San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Seattle-Tacoma, Dallas-Fort Worth, Boston, New York, Chicago, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Washington DC, Nashville, Raleigh, Tucson, Atlanta, Orlando, and Tampa. Amazon has even crossed borders, venturing into Canada and has launched free same-day delivery in Toronto and Vancouver as well.

“One day, seeing Prime Air vehicles will be as normal as seeing mail trucks on the road,” Amazon says.  It appears inevitable that Amazon will be using drones in every major city in the US, eventually worldwide.  This means drone delivery will cross over into other industries and more business will be found following the pattern of success by Amazon.  The question is how will it affect physical stores and will they make the adjust into moving product via e-commerce.  It’s clear that every business will have to begin putting a heavier focus on convenience shopping and meeting the demand of it.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos tweeted the success of the retailer’s first drone flight, which actually took place on December 7th.  It was guided by GPS and flies no higher than 400 feet.  It was noted that Amazon is very careful with its’ drones use in inclement weather, such as no flying them in rain, snow, or ice, as well as flying in separate air spaces to avoid planes. The article also mentioned that Amazon only has a few customers in the UK that is privy to using them, yet, the e-retail giant hopes to expand to a larger demographic there.

To keep pace with fast delivery, companies can partner with a Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier to implement a same-day logistics solutions quickly.  The San Diego Courier has a national footprint and able to deliver in major US cities for retailers, as they compete with Amazon.

Reference:  12.14.16, Fox News, Lulu Chang, From high-flying dream to reality: Amazon fulfills its first order using a drone

Carriers Announce Shipping Deadlines, Same-Day Delivery Is Another Option

When the time comes for Same-Day Delivery to impact the carrier industry, it will. Yet for now, it is only fully moving and expanding within the retail industry.  It is what companies like Amazon, Google, BestBuy, and more have all embraced, making it a viable shipping option during this holiday shopping season.  Either way, carriers are not getting their shipping time frames to be performed as fast as same-day delivery primarily.  Their focus for the holiday season is to ensure that they are accurate on and before Christmas.

The USPS, FedEx and UPS have all announced their respective shipping deadlines for retailers and shoppers to get their packages delivered by the biggest holiday of the year.  Yahoo recently talked about how FedEx, UPS and others have all made public their shipping deadlines in order for shoppers to know the shipping options that are at their disposal.  With only two weeks before Christmas, consumers are likely to prepare now and place their orders so their holiday gifts can arrive on time.  For Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, shoppers are going to be buying and shipping more than in 2015.

The article mentioned how the carrier package forecasts confirms the growth in retail will result in an increase in packages shipped this year.  FedEx expects to ship 25 million packages on peak days during the holiday season.  UPS predicts it will deliver over 700 million packages between Black Friday and New Year’s Eve, which is 14% growth from 2015.  Also, the US Postal Service expects to deliver 750 million packages this holiday season, resulting in a 12% spike up from 2015 and the carrier has guaranteed domestic deliveries by Christmas.

FedEx, UPS and the USPS shipping deadline dates are below:

FedEx
Dec. 16 — Last day to ship FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery
Dec. 19 — Last day to ship FedEx Express Saver
Dec. 21 — Last day to ship FedEx 2Day A.M and FedEx 2Day
Dec. 22 — Last day to ship FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx First Overnight.
Dec. 23 — FedEx Same-Day City
Dec. 25 — FedEx Same-Day and FedEx Same-Day City
Also, FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx 2Day will make deliveries on December 24th.  A $16 Saturday delivery fee will apply per package.

UPS
Dec. 19 — Last day to ship via UPS 3 Day Select to be delivered before Christmas Day (delivery on Friday, Dec. 23).
Dec. 21 — This is the last day to ship all UPS 2nd Day Air packages to be delivered before Christmas Day (delivery on Friday, Dec. 23).
Dec. 22 — Last day to ship all UPS Next Day Air packages to be delivered on Friday
Dec. 23 — This is the last day to ship all UPS 2nd Day Air packages to be delivered before Christmas Day, which must use the Saturday delivery option for delivery on Saturday, Dec. 24

USPS
Dec. 15 – Last day for USPS Retail Ground. Ground service for less-than-urgent deliveries and oversized packages.
Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail. Service for standard-sized, single-piece envelopes and small packages weighing up to 13 ounces with delivery in 3 business days or less.
Dec. 21 – Priority Mail. Domestic service in 1, 2 or 3 business days based on where the package is mailed and where it’s being sent, variety of flat-rate options.
Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express. Fastest domestic service, guaranteed overnight scheduled delivery to most locations.  Some restrictions and exceptions apply.

FedEx does have it’s Same-Day and Fed-Ex Same-Day City according to their deadline dates will be operating.  It shows that carriers are slowly creating a competency for same-day delivery.  However, if retailers and shoppers are looking for a delivery source where fast delivery is their expertise, a viable option is a Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier to get their holiday packages delivered fast.  The Chicago Courier has just the right solutions for the holidays to get in-store and online orders delivered by Christmas.

Reference: 12.5.16, Yahoo Finance, Brittany Jones-Cooper, Holiday shipping deadlines for UPS, FedEx and major retailers

Same-Day Delivery Is Changing the Way Automakers Think

Automakers have not just sat back and watched Amazon utilize Same-Day Delivery for growth.  Toyota, BMW and Fiat Chrysler have all jumped into same-day delivery and seeing all of the benefits operationally the higher level of service it brings with it.

Customers know when they are getting the best from dealerships and same-day part deliveries is proving to be the revolutionary component that will optimize service repairs for car manufacturers in the years to come.  This past August, Toyota rolled out same-day parts availability to its’ dealerships to meet real time demand for repairs.  Faster part deliveries equated to quicker turnaround times from mechanics and better efficiency.  Repair times is the dealership service area with the largest number of customer complaints.  The better the service times a dealership provides, the better overall customer service reviews.

Auto News discussed in an article how although some manufacturers like Toyota are embracing same-day services’ short and long-term potential, some don’t feel the same way.  German automaker Volkswagen is still not convinced that same-day delivery will benefit their business model.  Anu Goel, Vice President of Parts and Logistics at Volkswagen Group of America, stated in the article, “If you’ve got dealers stocking the right parts in the first place, why do you need same-day service?”

Goel has a different philosophy for getting parts fast.  His perspective is to simply ship parts faster and dealers to change what they are stocking.  His solution is the part inventory itself will create a higher operational efficiency.  To minimize costs, same-day delivery must have close-proximity warehousing; in respect to Volkswagen current seven distribution centers, the auto manufacturer would essentially have to add more of them in order for same-day delivery to work.  Volkswagen does offer next-day part delivery and it appears to be what it presently needs. According to Goel, “We are good for now.  With a 1 p.m.cutoff [for parts orders], we can make 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. delivery the next day.  Seven buildings around the country allow us to meet that commitment.”

Toyota has been involved in part same-day delivery longer than BMW and Fiat-Chrysler have.  However, they both appear to be making headway with their respective implementations.  A Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier can partner with an auto manufacturer and pick up parts from distribution centers and local dealerships.  The Seattle Courier can perform part exchanges between dealerships, which is another same-day solution that it has developed.  Part distribution services is another same-day solution having the courier pick up all parts from a single location and distribute them to multiple dealerships in a given radius.

Car manufacturers like BMW and Fait Chrysler US being on board with same-day part deliveries, shows that it indeed is workable and at least worth testing.  Either way, same-day delivery is shifting how we do business, establishing a level of speed and convenience that shows no signs of turning back.  More and more businesses, retailers, shoppers, and automakers will all continue to make strides toward seeing how they can generate sales and improve processes with the innovation of same-day services.

Reference: 11.21.16, www.autonews.com, Jim Henry, VW’s Goel: Same-day delivery? Not yet

Same-Day Delivery Isn’t Just for Amazon, Here Comes PetSmart

Taking on Amazon isn’t just Google, Wal-Mart, Macy’s, Best Buy, and others. Now pet retail leader PetSmart has dived into the competitive mix with offering Same-Day Delivery and more services this month as the holiday shopping season begins.

TechCrunch recently reported PetSmart has announced launching same-day delivery in several major US cities this month.  The cities will include Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Northern New Jersey, Yonkers, and Washington DC.  The new service will allow shoppers to buy food, litter, over-the-counter medicines, grooming supplies, bedding, toys, and treats.  PetSmart’s initiative makes sense as many retailers are making adjustments online to slow down Amazon, which has mounted a robust same-day program that spans 27 US markets nationwide.

Amazon’s Prime Now consists of big cities such as San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Seattle-Tacoma, Dallas-Fort Worth, New York, Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Washington DC, Nashville, Raleigh, Richmond, Tucson, Atlanta, Orlando, and more.  In addition to the US, Amazon recently rolled out same-day delivery in Vancouver and Toronto.  What is making Amazon’s same-day delivery difficult to contend with is the service is free for Prime members.  This alone has compelled retailers like PetSmart to shift from traditional warehousing and focus on faster online order fulfillment.

PetSmart’s same-day service won’t be free.  It’s service fee will be $7.99, far from the cost of Amazon’s same-day delivery.  Crowdsourcing logistics provider Deliv is who PetSmart is partnering with to perform the actual deliveries in these cities.  Deliv has same-day delivery in 17 US markets, therefore, more will probably follow for PetSmart.  The more cities PetSmart can expand to, the more options it can provide its’ online customers, which is what makes last-mile delivery so attractive to today’s e-commerce consumers.

To match it’s new same-day program, PetSmart has overhauled its’ website, implementing the changes that make shopping via mobile devices easy.  Online retail is the platform which more and more shoppers are using because its’ so convenient.  From the comfort of their home of coffee shop, they can capitalize on any great deal they find online and have it shipped where they need it, instead of having to go pick it up themselves.

“Our omnichannel strategy is aimed at giving pet parents options tailored to their needs and desires,” said Eran Cohen, PetSmart’s chief customer experience officer regarding the new launch.  He went on the say, “We look forward to seeing their response to the new site with its new user experience and commerce-meets-content approach, as well as to our expanded and convenient home delivery options, which capitalize on our extensive store network for same-day and scheduled delivery”.

This is what is becoming more than just a trend for retailers and businesses.  Same-day delivery allows physical store companies to give their product more of an opportunity to sell.  Just as PetSmart has partnered with Deliv, a Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier can do the same for any company competing with Amazon.  They offer last-mile delivery services right away.  The Washington DC Courier has the courier base and expertise to implement same-day delivery nationwide.  1-800 Courier can help PetSmart, as well as other companies, expand this holiday season and beyond.

Reference:  11.7.16, www.techcrunch.com, Sarah Perez, PetSmart takes on Amazon with launch of same-day delivery and subscriptions

$20 Billion Online Growth in Middle East

Same Day DeliveryOnline retail is forecasted to reach $500 billion by 2018 worldwide, as well as Same-Day Delivery at $987 million by 2019.  E-commerce is growing in the Middle East and expected to increase to $20 billion there this year.  It’s no reason why SOUQ.com, the Middle East’s largest online retail and marketplace platform, has announced that it will be launching same-day delivery there.

Arabian Supply Chain reported that SOUQ.com will begin offering the same-day delivery for “Fulfilled by SOUQ” (FBS) in Dubai for all online orders placed by 3pm.  It is the first e-commerce business in that region to launch this type of service, with hopes to expand throughout that area.  More than likely, the service will be established and optimized in Dubai, then SOUQ.com will implement it further.

“Our primary objective is to deliver the highest quality products and a service as efficient and quick as possible to our customers,” said Ronaldo Mouchawar, SOUQ.com CEO & Co-Founder in the article.  He also stated, “With the Fulfilled by SOUQ (FBS) program, we manage the fulfillment and logistics for third-party sellers, saving them time and money, and our home-grown logistics arm Q-Express as well as our partnership with WING.ae provide us with the most efficient delivery service in the region with real-time order tracking. We believe that our same day delivery and SOUQ delivery promise initiatives are a huge step forward in corresponding supply with customers’ demand and further making online shopping experience seamless and enjoyable.”

Mouchawar has the right strategy, shifting beyond traditional online shipping, which is what several big name retailers are doing.  In recent years, Amazon has aggressively invested and implemented same-day delivery around the world.  The e-retail leader has free same-day delivery in 27 major US markets such as the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Seattle-Tacoma, Dallas-Fort Worth, Boston, New York, Chicago,Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Washington DC,  Orlando, Nashville, Raleigh, Richmond, Tucson, and Atlanta.  Amazon launched free same-day delivery in Toronto and Vancouver, in addition to Amazon Prime in London.  Google, Wal-Mart, Macy’s, Alibaba in China, Best Buy, and more are all on some level utilizing fast delivery.

SOUQ.com COO Wisam Daoud commented about what the service will do for their business.  He stated, “This innovative initiative is one of the region’s first- enabling customers to choose from the largest assortment of products and categories at the quickest turnaround. This landmark service will allow customers to buy their products in just a few clicks and receive their purchases just a few hours later- a testament to our constant endeavor of utilizing technology and our operational expertise to further drive the e-commerce growth in the region.”

Whether it is the Middle East or US, it is clear that retail is evolving into having omnichannels that offer seamless operations between online and physical store shopping.  1-800 Courier is a great example of how any retailer can quickly enter the market of same-day delivery and get product moving.  The Los Angeles Courier will develop a sound delivery solution and perform on-time deliveries for the convenience that retailers and their customers are looking for.

Reference:  11.10.16, www.arabiansupplychain.com, ASC Staff, SOUQ.com enhances logistics with same-day delivery

11% More Online Sales Growth For Holidays, Same-Day Delivery Will Expand

Same Day DeliveryAs the holiday season approaches, a boost in sales is what retailers are expecting to happen with their respective e-commerce.  One of the latest predictions from Adobe Digital Insights shows that retailers will be quite happy with the results.

Adobe conducted a survey of over 1,000 US consumers, which 31% of US consumers stated that they will start their holiday shopping before November 1st.  This is up 5% from last year.  Shoppers appear to be planning to beat the rush in more ways than one, not only in the store lines, but online as well.  More consumers are comfortable with making online purchases, coupled with technology growth via mobile devices, is driving how likely it is for e-commerce to continue to thrive.

In a recent article by Internet retailer, Adobe’s 2016 Digital Insights Shopping Predictions report says that 57 of the 61 days during the holidays will exceed $1 billion in online sales, resulting from e-commerce sales being expected to grow 11% this holiday season.  This equates to $91.6 billion, which will be an increase from $82.5 billion from last year.  It revealed that shoppers are expected to begin buying online early, which will continue after Christmas Day.  For Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, roughly 9.2% of those online sales will occur during that time, accounting for $8.4 billion, according to the Adobe study.

“The biggest online sales days keep getting bigger,” said Becky Tasker, managing analyst with Adobe Digital Insights.  These are the days that consumers take advantage of the sales and discounts that retailers offer online to generate revenue and increase web traffic.  What is happening now is that top retailers are offering Same-Day Delivery to attract shoppers that don’t want to wait on their online orders.  Companies like Amazon, Wal-Mart, Google, Ace Hardware, Best Buy, Costco, and more have all jumped into same-day delivery to capture sales with value-added service options.

Amazon, for example, has taken Amazon Prime into several major US cities nationwide.  Amazon has free same-day delivery in 27 city markets, including the San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle-Tacoma, Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis, New York, Boston, Tampa Bay, Baltimore,Washington DC, Chicago, Orlando, Nashville, Raleigh, Richmond, Tucson, Atlanta, and more.  The e-retail leader also launched free same-day delivery in Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

During the holidays, consumers will need food items too.  Even Whole Foods has expanded same-day grocery services via the mobile grocery shopping app Instacart.  The grocery chain retailer is adding an unspecified number of markets where it will be offering same-day grocery delivery, in addition to its’ current 17 metro areas where the Instacart delivery option is being offered.

Partnering with a Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier can help retailers capture the holiday sales this year.  The New Jersey Courier has the courier expertise and national footprint to quickly implement same-day delivery to compete and attract shoppers to buy online from you during this season.

Reference:  10.27.16, www.internetretailer.com, Zak Stambor, Online sales will surpass $1 billion nearly every day this holiday season, Adobe predicts

Google Express Competes with Amazon Prime, Adds 13 More States

Same Day DeliveryFew retailers seem to be daring enough to take on Amazon Prime.  However, Google is not backing down and its’ recent move shows that Google Express is coming.

Earlier this month, Google launched the service in the big apple.  Now, Google has announced that it now is offering Google Express in 13 more states.  The USA Today reported how the e-retailer is gearing up for the upcoming holiday season, positioning itself to compete with Amazon in several key states, as well as several states that aren’t among the most popular areas for Same-Day Delivery.  The new US states will include Alabama, Kentucky, Utah, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming and Washington.  With same-day delivery in the southeastern region is one thing, yet having Google Express in the Midwest is another.  This could potentially be an exclusivity there that will cause shoppers to turn to Google Express.

Google is partnering with retailers like Costco, Whole Foods Market, Kohl’s, PetSmart, Road Runner Sports, Sur La Table, Fry’s, Walgreens, L’Occitane, Payless ShoeSource and Guitar Center.  Since Google’s strategy is utilizing the physical store retailers that shoppers already use, areas like the Midwest may not be a challenge after all to generate sales, especially during holiday shopping.  “At Google Express, our job is to make people’s lives easier. What we really are trying to do here is make it easier to shop from merchants you love,” Google Express General Manager Brian Elliott said in an interview with The Tennessean.

This type of service is going to not only benefit shoppers, but brick-and -mortar retailers as well.  Elliott also talked about in the article about utilizing its’ core competency to provide a product that will meet retailer needs.  He stated, “We think of ourselves as a technology platform because that’s what we’re really good at. We’re trying to build a platform that lots of merchants can participate in”.  More retailers are turning to same-day delivery to attract more shoppers to shop online to ultimately increase store sales.  This is exactly what Google Express does.

With the 13 new locations, as well as the roll out of Google Express in New York earlier this month, roughly 70 million people in these states, including the tri-state areas, will be able to shop online conveniently from their mobile device.  The more technology advances, the more Google Express and partnering retailers can capitalize on moving store products, therefore, if consumers don’t come to their store to shop, they’ll simply bring the store to their doorstep.

A Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier is a way for any retailer or business to grow online and allow the actual delivery aspect of same-day delivery to be handle by them.  The Portland Courier provides last-mile deliveries nationwide and is a viable option to gain more market share during the holiday shopping season and afterwards.  As companies like Google and Amazon grow, businesses will have to adjustment to compete in today’s e-commerce.

Reference:  10.25.16, USA Today, Lizzy Alfs and Brad Harper, Google Express adds delivery service to 13 more states