No 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