Holiday Sales Expected To Rise 15%, Can use Same-Day Courier To Meet Shopping Demand

The holiday shopping season is almost here, and retailers are getting ready for another big sales year. Shoppers are known to be going into the physical stores to make their gift purchases, yet it is likely what will have a big year will be sale online. Shop.org has released some new information regarding the online holiday season, and their forecasts suggest this will probably be the greatest year for e-retailers.

Internet Retailer reported that Shop.org has released some headline forecasts that e-retail sales will increase between 13% and 15% this year. Holiday web sales are expected to reach $82 billion in November and December as well. Shop.org is the e-commerce arm of the well-known National Retail Federation (NRF). The NRF estimates the total US retail sales for the two major holiday months will increase 6.9% from 2012 to $602.1 billion. These are impressive numbers for the holiday season, especially in regards to slow-growth economy.

Other market research firms weighed in on this year’s online shopping forecasts. EMarketer stated in the report it projects US holiday e-retail sales will increase 15.1% this year in comparison to 2012. Deloitte LLP stated it expects US non-store sales will jump 12.5% to 13%. Shop.org was able to produce these its’ projections based on governmental data. The data types included account consumer confidence, monthly retail sales increases, disposable personal income, and other factors. Online retail has consistently grown 16% overall in recent years, and it appears 2013 will be no different.

The growth of technology usage will have a great impact on this year’s holiday shopping as well. Matthew Shay, NRF President and CEO, stated in the report, “Online and mobile continue to be a leading area of growth for retailers. In this economy savvy, cost-conscious consumers go to the web to do their research and get the best bang for their buck. In addition to researching what their peers are saying online about products and gifts this holiday season, consumers will use the buy online, pick-up in store option, retailers’ apps and mobile websites to find something special for their loved ones.”

There will be shorter time frames this holiday season between holidays than last year. There will only be 25 shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, versus 31 days in 2012. Also, consumers will have only four full weekends versus five last year to shop. This will more than likely steer shoppers to be focused and utilize mobile retail to make the purchases they are looking for. E-retailers are gearing up to use same-day delivery for online sales as well.

With the holiday sales growth expected to occur, e-retailers can partner with Same-Day Couriers like A-1 Express to create new innovative ways to meet their online demand. A-1 Express can deliver their customers’ online purchases right their doorsteps within hours. The Chicago Courier also has a national footprint, enabling the company to be a one-stop courier for any e-retailer. At the pace e-retail is going, orders will have to be fulfilled quickly and effectively, which A-1 Express has the courier expertise to develop a sound same-day delivery solution.

Reference: 10.3.13, Internet Retailer,Thad Reuter, E-retail could jump 15% this holiday season

Amazon Paved The Way, More E-Retailers Start Same-Day Delivery

More and more e-retailers have grabbed hold of same-day courier delivery and its’ benefits. Yet, this is not the only reason many of them have chosen this route for their order fulfillment. One company named Amazon, due to its’ enormous success, has caused e-retailers to follow its’ steps within the world of e-commerce, even if it comes at a cost.

These e-retailers are taken a loss to offer same-day delivery and still expect to grow reported Internet Retailer. Online giant Amazon is the cause because the company is offering same-day delivery this way. The report discussed how Amazon launched its’ Local Express delivery service in 2009 in seven major metropolitan markets. Amazon still offers same-day delivery in these same markets today. It even has added four more major cities that offer it as well. However, Amazon doesn't publicize same-day delivery nationwide.

Amazon sparked the interest of e-retailers to explore same-day delivery a little more and seek after legitimate growth from it. The question e-retailers began to ask is can it truly work? Now e-retailers in various markets are testing same-day delivery and/or have implemented it as a part of their shipping services. Fashion apparel company Planet Blue in Southern California started offering same-day delivery to its’ customers this year. The company offers same-day delivery via a same-day courier for $19.99 within a 50-mile radius of its’ distribution center.

For Planet Blue, it’s working in spite of recent surveys that have clearly shown shoppers will not pay over $10 for the same-day service. The key factor will Planet Blue is its’ average order is $200, therefore, its’ customers are willing to pay an additional $19.99 for the premium service and convenience. “By offering this option, we can serve our customers in a new and better way—for that last-minute date or that evening or weekend event that they need the perfect dress for,” said Eugene Kang, VP of e-commerce. “We also have a loyal celebrity clientele that may want to shop in private and receive premium service.”

Other retailers, such as Wal-Mart, eBay, Target, Macy's, Best Buy, and more are all using same-day delivery, which all began with online front runner Amazon. Andrew Schmahl, principal at consulting firm Booz & Company stated in the report, "Every retail or transportation client we work with mentions Amazon.com's same-day shipping program in the first paragraph of our conversation". With online business growing annually over 16%, it is apparent same-day delivery will be in demand more and more.

Planet Blue is not the only e-retailer using same-day courier service to pick up and delivery their products. Most of all retailers performing same-day delivery is partnering with couriers like A-1 Express to fulfill their online orders. A-1 Express is a viable option for same-day delivery because it has a national footprint, enabling the company to help nationwide corporations quickly implement same-day delivery. This Chicago Courier is an expert at courier logistics and can create a shipping solution that fits any e-retailers’ same-day delivery plan for growth.

Reference: 8.29.13, Internet Retailer, Katie Evans, The rise of same-day deliveries, thanks in part to Amazon