The growing need for sameday couriers

While only 24% of shoppers placed same-day delivery orders in 2020, 68% say fast shipping was a deciding factor in their 2021 orders. In 2022 and as we head off into 2023 this again will be highly likely to be and become a growing figure. This is for sure a very important market for the end user. More and more businesses now depend on sameday couriers as a major part of the running of their wider supply chain. Same day delivery benefits both the customer and retailer and is a safe bet for companies, therefore in high demand for boosting operational productivity.

The demand for online grocery shopping has skyrocketed in 2021 so much so that it seems in the very near future, people won’t be walking through the shops of the supermarkets. This has had a drastic effect on the growth of the courier market. In particular, for sameday couriers.

Same day courier delivery is exactly what it is: consumers receive their packages within the day after purchasing them from the retailer. This is a much more effective way of being able to give the consumer what they want. Also, when they want it. More and more firms are now looking to offer just this back to their customers. This can for sure work out to be a great USP too.

The Covid-19 effect on the market

We’re now starting to see the full impact of Covid-19 on our shopping habits. Increasing knowledge of delivery options transformed consumers’ expectations of what services their favourite brands should be offering. The results of our latest consumers’ survey show people increasingly want to see all their favourite stores offering the same delivery options as Amazon Prime. Online shoppers have dramatically changed their expectations. Significantly, 56% now think same-day delivery options are important (up from 33% in 2020). Also, 62% expect next-day delivery options (up from 44% in 2020). From this, 55% want specific, 2-hour time slots (up from 44% in 2020).

People want their items – faster

This is a dramatic rise in online customers’ expectations. Prior to the pandemic, most online purchases were for non-essential items such as entertainment products and electronics. Over the last two years, online buyers have become wary of the High Street and out-of-town shopping malls. Many have switched to ordering household essentials such as groceries online, with same-day delivery options increasingly popular. Consumers now want to have all their shopping – luxury items as well as household essentials – delivered on the same day.

The UK for sure lead the way in the sameday market

Understandably, home shoppers now expect faster services with increased options. This is as they spend more time on e-commerce specialist sites such as Amazon. Who can blame them? But the transformation in same-day delivery expectations could be bad news for smaller store chains who don’t have distribution centres spread across the country. The UK was a pioneer in next-day deliveries. Most orders throughout our relatively small country can be fulfilled within one working day. However, there is a vast difference between the infrastructure needed for same-day deliveries than for next-day.

Overall

Would you want to work with a company that takes three days to respond to an enquiry or 30 minutes? Would you want to work with a company that makes you hold and promises to return your call and never does? Communication is key. In the Courier industry, you can never have too much information. The more relevant information, the better; ensuring your collection/delivery runs as smoothly and swiftly as possible. This means that for a courier firm they will also be sure to see and get repeat custom, time and time again. This is all a part of the service and needs to be fully remembered.