With consumers demanding an increasing number of delivery locations, better returns processes and increased visibility of parcel tracking, new research undertaken by eDelivery.net in conjunction with NetDespatch shows that a collaborative approach from the retailer community is required to meet customer demands
New research conducted by multichannel retail trade title eDelivery.net, in conjunction with leading parcel data management platform provider, NetDespatch, has found that consumers having strong views around delivery price, services and timeframes, however, retailers face challenges in meeting the increasing customer demands. The research showed that the biggest barriers to developing additional services for customers were cost (46%) and technology (45%).
Further, a third of retailers (33%) were challenged by the complexity of additional delivery services and incredibly 29% stated that partners were a barrier stopping them from offering new services to customers.
The research, which polled almost 120 retailers investigated how retailers are responding to the growing demands of the ecommerce consumer, and showed that retailers are facing some tough challenges in order to meet growing consumer expectations. Consumers are constantly looking for retailers to improve not just front of house processes but the whole delivery experience, which starts when they click on the website and finishes when they receive the goods.
The research revealed that as consumer demands place more pressure on the delivery processes of retailers, improved service offerings are needed. Offering distinctive, fit for purpose delivery services are vital to win customers’ hearts, minds and purses but it does require a close partnership approach.
Additionally retailers stated a particular desire to improve the transparency of the delivery, specifically improved tracking and update notifications. The research also uncovered interesting results around the appetite for Sunday and evening deliveries.
Control and clarity is paramount for today’s consumers and as such delivery plays a vital part in the process of meeting customer expectations. To achieve this there is a need for more partnerships and a more collaborative approach within the industry.
Indeed, when it comes to collaboration, Click and Collect also offers a huge opportunity for retailers and their carriers to work more closely together to improve the customer experience, especially since it can drive additional spend instore.
Matthew Robertson, Co-CEO at NetDespatch comments: “UK ecommerce sales continue to skyrocket. With consumers becoming ever more demanding however, retailers continue to work tirelessly to keep pace.
“Retailers must work closely with technology and delivery partners to ensure they are able offer the convenience and diversity of delivery options to their consumers in what is a highly competitive market. We’ve already spoken about 2017 as the year of collaboration and this whitepaper supports that view, as we continue the drive to meet consumer expectations and provide a seamless parcel delivery experience.
The study was carried out in early 2017 and sampled almost 120 retailers. To obtain a copy of the full report, ‘Are You Delivering What Your Customers Want?’, visit http://www.netdespatch.com/news/what-customers-want
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About NetDespatch:
NetDespatch is the leading SaaS parcel data management platform for postal and parcel carriers worldwide. Recognised as one of the top independent Cloud Computing providers in the UK, the platform currently enables carriers to provide more than 130,000 of their business customers with solutions to seamlessly integrate ecommerce websites, sales order processing and warehouse systems at point of despatch. Users can print the correct shipping labels, customs documentation and manifests, and automatically pre-advise their carrier of incoming parcels. For more information visit www.netdespatch.com. Or follow NetDespatch on Twitter @NetDespatch
Media Contact:
Michael Bartley
C8 Consulting
+44 (0)118 949 7750
michael@c8consulting.co.uk
