Simultaneously with the continous growth of global e-commerce, the expectations of the modern consumer grow as well. Demand in terms of flexibility of delivery options is increasing and in order to compete in this innovative sector, (r)etailers have to respond. The new developments in technology are helping delivery companies to ensure flexibility.
Consumers’ lives are getting busier, which creates problems in the end-stage of the delivery: the last-mile. B2C Europe’s research shows that all online shoppers (in France, the UK and the Netherlands) experienced a minimum of one failed delivery attempt. A striking more than 20% even experienced five or more. This causes waiting times, costs, a loss of customers and even negative environmental impacts (due to air pollution) to increase.
Technology helps companies to find new ways of delivery. Multiple innovations are centered on delivering parcels without a receiver. Examples of these experimental technologies include In-car delivery, In-home delivery and Delivery to an unmanned safe. However, most European online shoppers are still hesitant about in-car (57%) and in-home delivery (60%), whereas 68% of the online shoppers would prefer the unmanned safe if this was available.
Read more about delivery innovation and the consumers confidence in technology here, or download the latest edition of Cross-Border Magazine.
