Parcel delivery provider Fastlane International has claimed that radical fulfillment plans will need to be developed by UK carriers this year in order to meet growing public expectations regarding deliveries.
The company believes that 2016 could see the rise of Christmas Day deliveries in the UK from the likes of retail giants Amazon. The company also believes that retailers of all sizes should be finalizing their Christmas delivery strategies now, with nearly a third of the year having already passed.
David Jinks, head of consumer research, Fastlane International, said, “With the increased emphasis on same-day delivery and multiple delivery choices, those retailers who still think it’s acceptable to say on December 17, or even earlier, that orders might not arrive in time for Christmas, look set to lose thousands in sales. Customer expectation is growing, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see a service such as Amazon Prime Now actually delivering on Christmas Day.
“Fastlane has been warning for some time that deliveries will become as important as price in the battle to win customers and keep them loyal. This is why Amazon has invested so heavily in its Prime member delivery options, including its near instant Now service, because it knows that its Prime members spend 68% more with Amazon than non-members. That’s customers already lost to other retailers next Christmas unless their delivery options are made more attractive. It’s not such a leap to envisage Amazon delivering on Christmas Day, albeit for a price.”
April 5, 2016