Same-day and on-demand delivery adds value to the e-commerce experience by lending convergence toward online and offline shopping experiences
In a survey by PwC conducted in 2014, 61 per cent of respondents said they were ready to pay extra for same-day delivery. In fact, same-day delivery ranked as one of the top three important factors for online shopper satisfaction.
Another study, this time by Accenture, found that 64 per cent of internet shoppers find speed to be critical to their e-commerce experience. Six out of 10 are ready to pay extra for same-day delivery, but only roughly 15 per cent of retailers can provide such a service.
The bottomline is that faster delivery gives greater value to the e-commerce experience. This can also translates to greater sales volumes.
Same-delivery is perhaps the most notable innovation in e-commerce after digital payments. From bicycles to trucks and even planes, nothing is spared to ensure same-day delivery on every size of package ranging from sachets to man-size containers.
In fact, the Goliath of e-commerce, Amazon, is experimenting with same-day delivery with the aid of drones in select cities.
Also Read: Amazon files patent for new drone that both sees and hears you
A good number of startups have also cropped up that help retailers (big and small) to level the field with same-day delivery through on-demand delivery services.
Why same-day delivery clicks with customers?
The biggest gain with same-day delivery is that it blurs the difference in convenience between online and offline shopping. Customers are able to enjoy the flexibility and concessional pricing of online shopping and still have immediate product access that is native to offline shopping.
“Same-day delivery is a game changer because it combines the immediate product availability of retail with the convenience of ordering from home,” the Accenture paper cites an SVP of a logistics company.
These factors hint toward one direction. Following the steps of Amazon, eBay and Google, other asmaller startups are also queuing up to provide same-day delivery to their customers. But for same-day delivery aspirants that don’t have the infrastructure and capital that the big guys have, on demand delivery apps will play a major role in pushing sales volumes.
Also Read: ‘Uber for delivery services’ startup raises US$7.7M despite competition
More than the run-of-the-mill B2C on-demand app, however, these need the ability to sort orders, give route map navigation, collect customer proof of delivery, and do much more, in order to be a catalyst to online retail success.
How same-day delivery can be a catalyst for online sales volumes?
The first online retailer who can bring the product to customers’ doorsteps can avoid being taken over by competitors. Similarly, customers will then tend to shift toward buying more things online — think groceries, medicines, food, and other items more commonly bought offline.
It blurs the difference between offline and online. Same-day delivery plus online shopping is more or less like an offline shopping experience. You get more brownie points for concessional pricing, reward schemes, easy return policies, and the trust of genuine products.
It weakens the weekend retail rush and spreads demand consistently. Offline retailers typically experience a surge in sales during weekends. For online stores, the volumes are more or less consistently spread throughout. However, both the mediums have their own rush days and peak hours. Same-day delivery irons out any such difference and improves consistency with equal benefits for customers and retailers.
Real-time monitoring: the pivotal feature. On demand delivery apps enable retailers — and customers — to monitor their same-day deliveries in real time. Compared with traditional logistics providers, on-demand apps let you optimise your deliveries through better routing, as well as the ability to be more accurate in terms of estimated time of delivery completion and much more.
Some of the popular on demand delivery apps that enable same-day delivery include:
There are even other alternatives available in the market targeted at different markets or specialties. Some of the most common features provided by these on demand delivery apps that add value to e-commerce are as follows:
- Route map navigation
- Push notifications
- Real time delivery status
- Proof of delivery
- User reviews and rating, and much more.
Parting thoughts
Same-day delivery is the next revolution in e-retail that will reap in benefits for both retailers as well as customers. Combined with efficacy of on demand delivery apps, same-day delivery will be a fuss-free affair for retailers.
What are your thoughts on on demand delivery apps facilitating same-day delivery services?
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