Consumer expectations for parcel delivery have never been higher and continue to rise at a rapid rate. Our modern lifestyle revolves around convenience and most of us have become accustomed to getting what we want when we want it – not to mention being able to return it with ease when we don’t… With 57% of domestic parcel deliveries being for next-day, shipping logistics services who don’t offer a speedy service, make themselves obsolete.
In order to ensure that your brand stays relevant, it is vital that you choose a tech solution that provides both speed of service and convenience of access to customers. This means clear, easy ordering facilities as well as smooth-processing options for both home delivery and click and collect. At point-of-purchase, a consumer will think nothing of stopping short of placing an order if the delivery option doesn’t live up to the (very high) expectations of immediacy or near-immediacy.
Customers want equally convenient choices at every point
Mobile tech is perfectly suited to this consumer landscape, with over 5 billion global smartphone users and, in the UK, a generation of consumers who take online shopping with the option for 24-hour delivery turnaround for granted – utilising mobile tech capabilities is an absolute essential for any logistics company who wants to stay competitive.
Providing consumers with options like home delivery or click and collect has been the most recent disruption to the industry. Never a more frustrated consumer than the one who has to wait all day for a delivery that is due to arrive “between 8 am and 8 pm”. Consumers have made their preference clear with 49% choosing click and collect and with half doing so to avoid delivery charges while the other half find it to be more convenient than home delivery. Mobile tech allows you to stay in touch with your customer, particularly in the last-mile period, the challenges of which are generally accepted to be able to make or break a brand.
The future is wholly mobile
In 2019, that’s just next year, the moon will get its first mobile phone network as part of a project between Nokia and Audi and later this year 12 US cities will be first to receive 5G mobile internet. Also, this year 4 million GM vehicles will be equipped with in-dash e-commerce tech. The future is very clear, very powerfully mobile-centric and must be a part of logistic providers immediate future plans. Until now financial limitations have been a major deterrent for smaller providers to embrace mobile but staying connected to your customers right from point A to Z – something big brands with big money do so well – is no longer just for the main players, mobile tech is becoming affordable and mainstream, opening up the market potential for small brands with commitment to win over customers with consistent, good service. Collaboration and integration are key, parcel delivery software like SmartConsign are constantly evolving their technology with smart mobile solutions coming soon.