Despite inflation fears, retailers are likely to see an increase in consumer spending this summer, with 61% planning to shop “holidays” like Prime Day, and 76% of them saying they’ll spend the same or more on the extravaganza as last year, according to data from Adobe Commerce.
What do consumers expect and what are businesses offering in ecommerce shipping? How much do free shipping and fast shipping matter? What about returns and tracking? Based on survey data from Shippo, here are key ways you can turn shipping into a competitive advantage.
If you think customer expectations are high overall in terms of ecommerce and direct-to-customer fulfillment, take a good look at the millennial generation. See what the research says, and what three millennial-focused brands are doing to go above and beyond and deliver a great customer experience for this key demographic.
With PetSmart becoming the latest company to offer same-day delivery, other merchants are likely asking themselves, when does this level of service make sense? The answer depends on demographics, product category and your ability to absorb the cost.
A study from same-day delivery provider Dropoff found that 60% of consumers have decided not to purchase from a retailer due to slow delivery times. See what else the study uncovered about ever-increasing customer expectations on shipping times.
Players from Amazon to Postmates, Instacart and Uber, even the USPS are chasing a piece of the same-day delivery action. For retailers thinking about it, here are a few questions to consider.
There are resources and technology that let any business compete with Amazon’s same-day delivery program. The first step, though, is a change in thinking.
The FAA again gave Amazon permission for drone testing, a month after complaints that a previous approval was moot because the vehicle had become obsolete.
Continuing on its juggernaut of instant fulfillment of all kinds of stuff from “the anything store,” Amazon today announced Prime Now, a service that will allow Prime members in New York to receive household items like paper towels and laundry soap in as little as an hour via a mobile app.
The app, which is available in iOs and Android versions, give Prime members in select New York neighborhoods free two-hour delivery; the one-hour version costs $7.99 per order. The company’s much-touted facility on West 34th St. in Manhattan will serve as the fulfillment hub.
In the never-ending battle for holiday shopping dollars, clothing retailer Banana Republic is offering free same-day shipping from Wednesday, Dec. 17 through Tuesday, Dec. 23 as part of its “Procrastinators Event” promotional program, the company said in a press release.
Through crowdsourced same-day shipping provider Deliv, customers who use Banana Republic’s reserve in store option on its website can opt for free same-day delivery in eight cities: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Houston and Seattle.