Tag Archives: New York Courier

Postal Service Expands Same-Day Grocery Delivery in New York

same day deliveryThe US Postal Service has jumped outside of the normal delivery of piece mail into same-day grocery delivery, in hopes to generate more revenue and profitability.  Internet Retailer recently reported that the USPS will begin extending Customized Delivery, the name of its’ grocery delivery service, on June 29th or shortly after that.  Testing of the service began late last year in San Francisco, delivering on the behalf of AmazonFresh in 38 various zip codes in that area.

The mail company performed filing to the Postal Regulatory Commission regarding the new venture.  The article mentioned the filing did not state the USPS will be delivering AmazonFresh orders in New York.  Yet, AmazonFresh was launched in in Brooklyn and Manhattan late last year, in addition to AmazonFresh Philadelphia.  Amazon has been working with the Postal Service for years now, even with performing Sunday deliveries.  The report stated via logistics consulting firm MWPVL International states that from 16 US sorting centers, Amazon groups packages by zip code and send them to the USPS, which the USPS then delivers.  This bulk shipping cuts Amazon’s costs versus going with UPS or Fedex, and at the same time, increases USPS revenue.
It does make sense for the largest e-retailer to partner with essentially the largest US mail delivery company.  Amazon deliveries large totes to postal locations between 1:30-2:30am, which then are delivered by postal carriers between 3-7am. The USPS has the capability and capacity to handle large, volume deliveries with its’ robust vehicle fleet and physical locations to match.  This suits the Postal Service’s ambitions for revenue growth and sustainability.  Two companies simultaneously can meet key needs .

Amazon will gain from the partnership a delivery system to handle its volume and quest for the next level of free same-day delivery.  The retailer recently announced the implementation of free same-day delivery in 14 metropolitan cities the US.  Its Prime members that make a $35 purchase by noon, will receive their online order by 9pm that same day free.  More than 1 million items, such as games, cooking tools, books, household goods, and electronics will be available.  The initial launch rolled out in California cities in the Southland, yet will be expanding into the San Francisco Bay Area and other major cities, including Baltimore, Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle-Tacoma, Tampa Bay, Washington DC, and Atlanta. 

The Postal Service had $5.5 billion in loses in 2014.  Its main challenge is its government obligation to cover health retirement benefits decades in advance, which resulted in several past defaulted government loans.  Therefore, innovation is the key and the USPS appears to be headed in the right direction, as many other companies are doing to keep pace with new business trends.  Same-day delivery is becoming a staple service that retailers won’t be able to do without in the coming years.  A same-day courier like 1-800courier is a viable option to partner with to implement on-demand delivery services fast.  The New York Courier has the expertise and size to deliver items for any retailer in Atlanta, as well as nationwide.


Reference:  www.internetretailer.com, 6.22.15, Allison Enright, The Postal Service will deliver groceries to New Yorkers

QVC Mobile Sales Up, Same-Day Delivery Can Help Grow Even More

Courier ServiceOne thing about the mobile devices being incorporated into day-to-day living is it definitely helps people shop.  Retailers are glad about it too, even those that are beginning to incorporate same-day delivery into their service options.  Television, web and mobile web retailer QVC would highly agree and its’ recent first quarter numbers show it.

Internet Retailer recently reported that QVC’s mobile sales accounted for 52.13%, or $813 million, of its’ overall sales in the first quarter of this year.  This is a big swing upward from 38.47% this same period last year.  Liberty Interactive, QVC’s parent company, also experienced growth with online retailers Backcountry.com and Bodybuilding.com.  “The expansion in mobile orders was exceptional,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Interactive president and CEO.

The sales numbers from mobile devices equated to $423.81 million in the first quarter, which is up 42.5% from $297.37 million last year.  QVC’s e-commerce sales increased 5.2% and its’ web now accounted for 42% of total sales, compared with 39% in 2014.  The figures are clear that mobile devices are growing for QVC, as shoppers have become more comfortable with using tech gadgets to make their purchases.  It is also convenient when you have quick access to QVC and can take advantage of all of the discounts the retailer offers regularly.

The article went on to discuss how in spite of greater revenue this past quarter with mobile sales, QVC’s overall revenue declined by 2.4% to $1.938 billion, versus $1.986 billion last year. It stated that QVC blamed the strong dollar from bringing down the abroad dollar-denominated sales.  International sales declined by 12%, which equated to $81 million.  However, its’ US sales increased nearly 3%.  Also, US e-commerce revenue grew 7.12% to $632 million from $590 million a year ago.

Mobile sales appears to be proven to work with QVC, and they should only continue to be on the upswing ahead.  Consumers enjoy getting their online purchases fast.  QVC and other e-retailers could partner with a same-day courier like 1-800 Courier to enable themselves to produce same-day delivery for their online items, which will help market to ton-demand consumer sector.  When mobile shoppers can have their on-line shopping done quickly, 1-800 Courier is a New York Courier that can get it delivered in time.

Reference:  5.11.15, www.internetretailer.com, Katie Evans, Mobile accounts for more than half of online sales at QVC

FAA Approves Amazon Drones For Same-Day Delivery

Same Day DeliveryIt may seem far-fetched to use flying drones to deliver online purchases to your front door. However, Amazon is pursuing to make it a reality. Same-day delivery has become a viable option for online retail growth and all types of retailers are abroad, even Ace Hardware is testing the service. Drone use is another way that Amazon has tested and finds it fits their business model. A new announcement by Amazon shows it is another step closer to the floration of drone delivery.

Bloomberg News recently reported that Amazon has received approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for launching its’ same-day delivery drone program. The FAA has given the retailer a waiver allowing flights as fast as 100 mph and 400 feet off the ground, according to a letter posted on Amazon’s site. Amazon vice president Paul Misener spoke to Congress, stating that an earlier FAA approval for using drones applied to an earlier drone model no longer used. Therefore, it isn’t beneficial for new drone implementation. With the new approval, Amazon appears to have high hopes that same-day delivery drones will be flying soon.

Last year, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos made it known on 60 Minutes that the retailer had plans to launch Prime Air via “octocopters” or same-day delivery drones. Shoppers would receive their online items within thirty minutes or less. 86% of Amazon’s orders are small package items and actually meet the drone delivery criteria. It makes sense for Amazon to be so adiment about implementing same-day drones. With the enormous amount of distribution centers the retailer has across the US, the drones will bridge the distance gap like no other online retailer is doing thus far. It would indeed be revolutionary, as more than likely, other retailers will follow.

The FAA approval appears to not have come at a more pivotal time. Amazon strategically launched same-day delivery in several major US cities right before the holiday season last year, including New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Dallas, Indianapolis, and Atlanta. In addition, the service was released in Miami and Baltimore in March. There will probably be more same-day delivery in other US cities to come this year. Amazon could be headed towards these same cities being the first for drone use.

Amazon’s Prime members already have Prime Now, the e-retailer’s one-hour delivery service, at their disposal. Prime Now one-hour delivery is $7.99 and two-hour delivery is free, although Prime Air is set to be much faster. Members have tens of thousands of products they can buy online, from household items to electronics. Most of these are small items also, which will meet the drone carrying requirements.

A number of retailers won’t be able to deliver via drones due to costs; however, they can partner with a same-day courier like 1-800Courier to compete online and also for easy implementation in major US cities. The New York courier has a nationwide footprint and can create logistical same-day solutions as well. Either way, most retailers are going to need same-day delivery to meet today’s online demand.

Reference: 4.10.15, Internet Retailer, Bloomberg News, Amazon’s delivery drone test plan gets new OK from FAA

Macy’s UPS Web Investments, Will Boost Delivery Program

Courier ServiceMacy’s has recently announced it is beefing up its web investments and making some additional moves to swing revenue into it.  The department store’s multiple adjustments include the merger of its online and store merchandising marketing teams.  It will hire 150 more employees for its digital center specific to San Francisco, in addition to closing 14 stores while opening two new ones, with less workers in each store.  Merchandising is key with any online retail growth.  Shoppers know what they want and retailers’ merchandising channels must respond quicker in today’s e-commerce.
“Our business is rapidly evolving in response to changes in the way customers are shopping across stores, desktops, tablets and smartphones,” chairman and CEO Terry J. Lundgren said in the article.  ”We must continue to invest in our business to focus on where the customer is headed—to prepare for what’s next.”  Years ago online retail wasn’t in the same league with brick-and-mortar stores, yet technology has made shopping so easy.  Consumers in fact enjoy the convenience of looking for deals and buying items wherever they are—evening the plain.  E-commerce is no longer a distant second, making business sense for Macy’s.
Lundgren went on discussing details behind the new web investment technology to come.  “Going forward, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s will be better able to move more quickly and nimbly to select merchandise, assort inventories and serve total customer demand, no matter how, when or where the customer shops. Some redundant activity also can be avoided to accelerate speed to market, partner more effectively with vendor resources and ensure the merchandising organizations are more responsive to the marketplace in making and implementing decisions”.

Since online retail is growing, retailers are presenting convenience to shoppers with same-day delivery.  Multiple big name retailers have implemented it, including Macy’s, which aggressively plunged in with 8 major US cities before last year’s holiday shopping season.  Those cities included San Jose, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, New Jersey, and Chicago.  Sister company Bloomingdale’s launched the service in select cities along with Macy’s.  More probably will follow with its’ breadth of web expansion.

Online growth will translate into improved delivery programs.  The web technology alone positions retailers and delivery companies to partner to achieve profit and cost savings, something years ago couldn’t be done.  For example, Instacart now can do what Webvan did without multimillion dollar distribution centers with only 70 employees.  Made up of engineers and administrators, Instacart’s model is smarter and exact with last-mile deliveries, partnering with a same-day courier like 1-800 Courier to service them.  Macy’s has partnered with Deliv to meet their same-day delivery demand.
Google, Amazon, eBay, Wal-Mart, and others have invested heavily into their respective online markets, as well as same-day delivery for order fullfillments.  Many retailers invest in partnering with a courier like 1-800 Courier to boost their delivery programs. The New York Courier has a national footprint as most large web-based and physical store retailers are in need of an agile partner.  Macy’s fast track with e-retail will certainly increase its’ same-day delivery options.


Reference:  1.8.15, Internet Retailer, Don Davis, Macy’s steps up its online investments

EBay Expands EBay Local Pilot Delivery Program In Brooklyn

Courier ServiceThe race for same-day delivery became intense this year, as Google, Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Macy’s led the way with a number of moves to position themselves to master the service.  On the other hand, EBay recently decided to rethink its’ service, pulling eBay Now as a standalone app and integrating it into its’ main website.  It appears eBay was hanging up the gloves with same-day delivery, but think again.

EBay announced that it will be expanding its’ eBay Local pilot program in Brooklyn with an additional 80 small businesses that will offer scheduled and same-day delivery.  It also will provide in-store pickup to area customers.  It’s now clear that eBay Now is still functioning under eBay Local.  The e-retailer had released plans to expand eBay Now into 25 different markets, partnering with UK-based delivery start-up Shutl to get it done.  However, per an eBay spokersperson, the company is “moving to core” and the new eBay Local expansion could be signs of starting from the ground floor again to find what is sustainable long-term.

Tech Crunch discussed in the article how eBay Local is essentially the re-branding of eBay Now, yet it offers pickup options for shoppers as well.  EBay Local is being offered in limited US markets, including Brooklyn, Queens, San Francisco and parts of the Peninsula, San Jose, Chicago, and Dallas.  It also has local programs in Germany, UK and Australia.  There is a shift with eBay focusing in on smaller sellers who have customers that prefer online store pick up.  This is what Shutl’s “click and collect” delivery model is based from.  Shutl also uses a same-day courier like 1-800 Courier to perform the deliveries for them.

In a post regarding the new Brooklyn expansion, senior director of eBay’s Local initiatives Tom Allason, mentions briefly about offering the options customers want.  “We find that our customers like having choice, based on when they need the item and how much they want to pay to get it”, stated Allason.  Even if eBay expanded into the 25 markets it had planned, it could not succeed without the order volume, which is one of the key components for same-day delivery to work.

Online store pick up is a viable direction to go in, as mobile commerce continues growth.  Recent numbers from Black Friday and Cyber Monday show that shoppers are becoming more comfortable shopping on-the-go.  It was found that 37% of e-retail transactions from Black Friday through Cyber Monday were made from a smartphone or tablet.  It means that it would be quite easy for a customer to buy online and make a store pick up, opposed to having to wait in line.  It is a service that makes sense, and it could be why eBay is showing a more extensive interest in offering it.

Costs will always be the bottom line for same-day delivery.  EBay Now was being offered for a $5 fee.  Macy’s, newcomer to the same-day delivery bout, is currently charging only $5 for all orders over $99.  Wal-Mart, Google and Amazon have comparable pricing also.  Since a number of retailers need a delivery partner, 1-800 Courier is a New York courier that has courier logistics expertise and can create a same-day solution that is cost-effective.

Reference:  12.16.14, www.techcrunch.com, Sarah Perez, Ebay Expands Local Pilot Program Offering Same-Day Delivery, In-store Pickup In Brooklyn

Thundercakes Shows Any Business Can Do same-day delivery

Bakery PhotoThe big boys are not the only types of companies and businesses rolling out same-day delivery.  Small businesses are seeing the benefits of being able to get their products into their customers’ hands fast.  Yet, it isn’t stopping there.  Bakery companies are diving into same-day service also and the owners of this bakery aren’t your average business owners.  At this rate with this level of business savvy, who knows where it will be in a few years.

Thundercakes is a student-run baking company.  That’s right, and it just rolled out same-day delivery reported The Daily Orange in Syracuse, New York.  The delivery-only bakery normally offers two or three day delivery time frames.  However, November 11th will mark its’ new Thunderous 5 promotion, while providing customers with same-day delivery.
Courtnee Futch, a senior communication and rhetorical studies major and CEO of Thundercakes, comments on the same-day time frames in which customers will receive their fresh dainties.  “This is people having the ability to place their order by 2 p.m. and receive it no later than 7 (p.m.) on the same day, which is definitely unheard of,” Futch said.

Futch discussed in the article how Thunderous 5 Promotion consists of promotions targeting impulse buyers.  She stated that when customers are thinking of something to eat, they don’t want to wait.  This is impressive, as Futch understands business and she is offering the promotions to back this up, as they will be held all year.  The Thunderous 5 promotion will involve a rotation of flavors seasonally.  During the first week of every new rotation, each dessert will be 15 percent off.  Some of the items stated will include the gold ganache cake, chocolate pecan turtle cookies, maple bacon cinnamon rolls, Georgia, Honey! cupcakes and chai tea cupcakes.

Just to think, Futch started the business three years ago in her dorm to make some extra cash.  Now, she racks up 70-80 orders weekly.  Gabriela Carrero, friend of futch, commented on her abilities to make this business happen.  Carrero stated in the article, “She is very successful when she does her promotions.  Even when she started I remember it was her promoting her baked goods as, ‘I know you’re tired of studying right now and you need that little pick me up.’ That’s what she did freshman year in the dorms, and a lot of people obviously went and bought her stuff.”

Thundercakes has it all and proves that any startup can gain ground with the right innovation and knowledge of its’ target market.  Retail giants have the right products and have set themselves up for holiday sales, as they implement same-day delivery in major US cities nationwide.  Google, Amazon, Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, and more, are all using same-day delivery to make shopping with them more attractive.

Thundercakes proves you don’t have to be robust, but savvy and have the people to get it done.  A same-day courier like 1-800Courier can partner with any web-based retailer and/or brick-and-mortar retailer to implement same-day delivery to increase sales before the holiday shopping season hits.  The New York courier can deliver fast, on-time and various hours to give you the competitive advantage you need to increase sales now.

Reference:  11.10.14, The Daily Orange, Renee Cherry, Thundercakes to offer same-day delivery