It seems as though almost every major retailer is looking into making same-day delivery a reality. Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and the U.S. Postal Service are testing the waters of the delivery service, but there is still the question if it can actually be done.
According John Friess, public relations representative with USPS Corporate Communications, the same-day delivery option “is a viable business opportunity for other retailers looking to do the next big thing.”
The U.S. Postal Service is currently working in collaboration with 1-800-Flowers in an effort to offer same day-delivery services to select consumers looking to send last minute gift ideas. However the new fulfillment option will not be offered nationwide, only San Francisco area residents can take part, but Friess said if testing is successful it could run in other metro cities.
While same day delivery is not an option for many retailers, companies such as Nordstrom, Toys “R” Us, and Macy’s are expanding their distribution options by utilizing the traditional brick and mortar store with ship from store and in-store pick up options.
Nordstrom became one of the first companies to introduce a ship-from-store option for online fulfillment and it is now considered by many as a way to set yourself apart from your competitors.
While many retailers are moving closer to creating a same day-delivery plan some, it will not be something that will be offered to every shopper, according to Ed Stevens, CEO of Shopatron. “The vast majority of Americans cannot be served by same-day delivery,” Stevens said in a recent phone interview due, in large part, to the location of distribution centers to most American homes.
Although it appears that Amazon might begin problem solving the location issue since it is looking to build additional distribution centers in closer proximity to customer locations including California and New Jersey.
“But, ship from store, that is a huge trend and that is just going to grow and grow,” Stevens said.