Amazon Tests Same-Day Delivery By Bike In New York

There are many retailers looking at same-day delivery a variety of ways, turning it and twisting it, in hot pursuit of what will get it to work. Retail leader Amazon has implemented 50 distribution centers nationwide to support its' same-day delivery services. CEO Jeff Bezos announced last year about its' desire to perform the service using drones. A month ago, Amazon opened its' very first physical store location in Manhattan, right in the heart of busy New York. Now as the holiday shopping season heightens, there is another same-day vehicle Amazon is seeking to test and see if maybe it will generate the delivery solution it is after.

Yahoo News has recently reported via the Wall Street Journal that Amazon is testing delivery via bike in New York City. With a same-day delivery service like this, Amazon customers could receive their orders as fast as one hour, which will make for the fastest option Amazon offers. The WSJ found that bike messengers are utilizing Amazon's new physical location in Manhattan, which was announced last month as the first of its' kind for the retail leader. The web-based platform only for retail could be a thing of the past, as having one physical location will probably lead to more in other cities, if it thrives.

The WSJ stated that the new bike service may be called Amazon Prime Now, costing members only $5 to get a bike messenger to deliver fast. This falls right in line with its' other Prime products; Amazon offer its' Prime members same-day delivery for $5.99. Non-Prime members pay $9.99 for the first item and $.99 cents for each additional item. A huge difference with the same-day bike service is customers will pay $0 if they are willing to waiting several hours for their order, and Amazon will promote tipping bike messengers for their services.

This pricing stacks up with the benchmark for same-day delivery, as other retailers have relatively the same structure. Google Express charges $4.99 per order or customers can pay $10 per month and $95 per year. Wal-Mart offers same-day delivery in multiple cities and its' service Walmart To Go costs $10, regardless of the order size. Same-day delivery newcomer Macy's set its' pricing at flat rate of $5 for orders over $99 and shoppers with smaller orders pay standard shipping rates plus $5.

Amazon isn't aggressively pursuing faster deliveries for no reason. Retail e-commerce in the US is estimated to increase nearly $500 billion by 2018, which is over $200 billion more than sales last year. This is why Google, Wal-Mart, Macy's, Barnes & Noble and more are all racing to make same-day delivery work. Technology is reshaping the why we do business, and online shopping will have a greater market share in the coming years than ever. More and more shoppers are utilizing their mobile devices and like the convenience of not having to leaving their homes to make purchases. The savings of time and gas in their cars will prove to be worth the extra $5 bucks.

The report also stated that Amazon is performing time trials from bike messenger companies to determine who their partner will be. Amazon is making a wise move to partner with an experienced bike courier. Amazon and other retailers that are after same-day delivery can partner with a same-day courier like A-1 Express which offers local bike messenger services in New York also. The New York courier also has a national footprint and provides same-day delivery throughout the US, positioning itself with the capability to handle high volume at lower costs needed by large retailers like Amazon.

Reference: 12.8.14, Yahoo News, Anthony Jones, Amazon Bike Delivery Service Coming To Manhattan, Offering One-Hour Delivery Time

EBay's App For Same-Day Gone, Could Other Retailers Fail?

There is no doubt that there is something huge behind same-day delivery, because if there was not, there wouldn't be so many consistent investments by big name retailers into it. EBay is one of the e-retailers that was hoping to strike gold with the service, pushing to make eBay Now work. However, it appears the results eBay was hoping for didn't materialize, leaving eBay to pull altogether the eBay App last week.

EBay's retooling of its' same-day delivery program is the reality that even with a high profile, heavy investments and resources, if all of the pieces of puzzle aren't there, the service will not work. No matter how much marketing and advertising is done, the costs involved with same-day delivery is what will ultimately impact the success of a company. EBay had all the components, but it came to the point where it was about the ability to grow it, versus just the establishment of it alone.

The well-known web-based retailer launched its' service in 2012 in San Francisco and grew. EBay had plans to expand into 25 other cities this year, especially after its' acquisition of delivery company Shutl. This would be eBay's link into utilizing independent couriers to perform same-day delivery for it. Therefore, a same-day courier like A-1 Express would become a partner for eBay to outsource to, depending upon the location of the service request. This happened after eBay Now showed signs of a downward spiral when the independent valets no longer were being used. The Shutl idea was set in place to reduce the delivery costs of eBay transporting itself.

Even with all of the shifts, eBay Now just didn't have the order volume to sustain itself. The question is will this happen to other retailers? EBay was charging $5 for the service, which is what many other high profile retailers are charging right now. One of the latest top retailers Macy's has joined the ranks, completely diving into same-day delivery right before the holiday shopping season began.

Formerly partnered with eBay, Macy's has now rolled out same-day delivery in Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Chicago, Washington DC, New Jersey, and Seattle. Sister company Bloomingdale's rolled out the service Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Chicago also. From Monday through Saturday, orders placed with Macy's by 1 pm, are delivered the same day within a selected two-hour delivery window option. Orders must be placed by 11 am on Sundays.

Macy’s charge for its' service is $5 bucks as well. Experts think Macy's will work, especially with its' volume of locations to keep down delivery costs. Wal-Mart is in the same boat also, yet charges $10 for its' service, regardless of order size. Amazon offer its' Prime members same-day delivery for $5.99. Google Express charges $4.99 per order or customers can pay $10 per month and $95 per year, which has a source of partnering with physical retailers for its' same-day service. Other retailers failing with same-day delivery is yet to be seen, however, A-1 Express is a viable option for retailers to save on delivery costs. The Chicago courier is a source nationwide for same-day delivery and has the logistical expertise to help any retailer thrive.

Reference: 12.4.14, The Motley Fool, Rich Duprey, Same-Day Delivery Application Killed Off by eBay: Who Fails Next?

EBay Pulls EBay Now Same-Day App As It Rethinks How To Compete

One big name e-retailer has been running with Amazon and Google for some time when it comes to same-day delivery. EBay launched "eBay Now" in 2012 and began to expand in multiple US cities, with plans to eventually operate in 25 different markets. It appeared the company was making a strong push with the service, acquiring UK-based delivery startup Shutl in October of last year. Shutl then was over the actual delivery operation and not eBay's own driver fleets. However, eBay has now turned their service in a different direction starting with their app.

TechCrunch has reported that eBay is rethinking its' same-day service eBay Now and has officially pulled eBay Now from the App Store over the weekend. The app allowed mobile customers to shop with it from local retailers and have their online purchases delivered the same day for a $5 fee. In the article, an eBay spokesperson stated that the eBay Now service is “moving to core.” This means eBay Now will no longer be a standalone application, but will be integrated within eBay’s main mobile app and website. It's clear that eBay is going back to the drawing board for delivering same day with eBay Now.

EBay knows that its' same-day delivery service has to be right in order to thrive, and at the same time, compete. In today's same-day picture, Amazon and Google aren't the only companies leading the pack any longer. Physical store retailers have rolled out same-day delivery and have been just as aggressive as they are. Wal-Mart's "Wal-Mart To Go" is in a number of US cities and in Canada. The retail leader even has opted to offer free same-day service in Canada to compete with Amazon and attract enough shoppers to gain a good share of the market, plus holiday sales. Since its' stores are just about everywhere, it makes sense to offer the same-day delivery option.

Newcomer Macy's is another brick-and-mortar retailer that has joined the ranks the eBay will now have to contend with as well. Last month, Macy's launched same-day delivery in 8 major US cities, including Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Chicago, Washington DC, Seattle, and New Jersey. Sister company Bloomingdale's also launched the service in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose. Customers can get their online orders the same day from Macy's if placed by 1 pm Monday through Saturday and by 11am on Sundays, all within a selected two-hour delivery window.

Department stores indeed have stepped in as real game changers against web-based retailers. President of Newmarketbuilders Carol Spieckerman stated in a Forbes Magazine article, “The big breakthrough is department stores finally coming around to the reality that not everyone loves to shop (a premise that most have myopically held onto despite evidence to the contrary). Department stores’ stubborn store-centricity may have held them back in the digital realm, but now Macy’s is showing everyone how to play a mean game of catch-up on multiple fronts.”

No matter how well-known a retailer like eBay is, the pricing structure must fit into a company's business model in order for same-day delivery to work. Macy's currently charges only $5 for all orders over $99. Google and Amazon's same-day delivery fees are around the same price for customers. EBay was charging the same, however, it appears something didn't allow the retailer to profit as needed, and it has made a super smart move to figure it out. If Shutl isn't working, EBay could take the option of partnering with a same-day courier like A-1 Express to implement same-day delivery nationwide. The Washington DC courier has the logistical expertise to create and innovate an optimal delivery solution for EBay with optimal costs.

Experts Say Macy's Same-Day Delivery Will Work!

After Amazon and Google has made their strategic moves with establishing same-day delivery, Macy's made a move of its' own. With rolling out same-day delivery in multiple US cities demographically fit for the service and considering every aspect of Macy's, experts are commenting the popular department store could end up being the front runner.

Forbes recently reported how Macy's could lead the pack and win out with same-day delivery. Macy's aggressively jumped all the way into the service last month, launching same-day delivery in Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Chicago, Washington DC, New Jersey, and Seattle. Sister company Bloomingdale's also rolled out the service Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Chicago. Customers that place their online orders with Macy's by 1 pm, will have their items delivered same day within a selected two-hour delivery window option. Orders must be placed by 11 am on Sundays.

Macy’s also stacks up against the competition with its' pricing for the service. Big name retailers like Amazon offer its' Prime members same-day delivery for $5.99. However, Non-Prime members pay $9.99 for the first item and $.99 cents per additional item. Google Express charges $4.99 per order or customers can pay $10 per month and $95 per year. Wal-Mart even offers same-day delivery in multiple cities and its' service Walmart To Go costs $10, regardless of the order size. Wal-Mart does offer free same-day service in parts of Canada to compete with Amazon, yet currently not in the US.

Some experts weighed in on the prospect of Macy's be on track to very well get in front of the competition. President of Second To None, Jeff Hall, stated, “Same-day delivery, including two-hour delivery windows, will be hugely appealing, as it crushes so many of the inconveniences of shopping in-store: drive time, parking, traffic, etc. Macy’s is at the forefront of an emerging customer expectation that will be growing exponentially in the next few years.” With the growth of tech gadgets and the comfortability of shopping online, many shoppers are in fact engaging into more outside-of-the-store shopping.

In the article, president of Newmarketbuilders Carol Spieckerman said, “The big breakthrough is department stores finally coming around to the reality that not everyone loves to shop (a premise that most have myopically held onto despite evidence to the contrary). Department stores’ stubborn store-centricity may have held them back in the digital realm, but now Macy’s is showing everyone how to play a mean game of catch-up on multiple fronts.” Forbes also mentions how the industry insiders of the RetailWire BrainTrust were generally positive about Macy’s offering same-day delivery, a retailer known for being ahead of the omni-channel curve.

Deliv is the start-up delivery company handling the physical same-day service for Macy's utilizing a crowd-sourcing approach in which everyday people pick up and deliver for them. One Deliv driver will pick up multiple orders and deliver all of them, which is what a same-day courier like A-1 Express would offer also. The San Francisco courier has a national footprint and logistical expertise to perform cost-effective deliveries on time. A-1 Express is an experienced courier capable of accurate deliveries, in addition to returns, real-time address adjustments and more, which would be needed for Macy's during the busy holiday shopping season.

Reference: 11.21.14, www.forbes.com, Tom Ryan, Same-Day Delivery May Be A Win For Macy's

Amazon Competes With Wal-Mart, Offering Same-Day Delivery In Canada

With the holiday shopping season around the corner, a number web-based and brick-and-mortar retailers are all in when it comes to using same-day delivery to help boost sales this year. Some of the big boys, like Google and Amazon, have both been very aggressive as the fourth quarter hits. With just making a big strategic move with it's first physical store location and a number of city expansions for same-day delivery, Amazon was thought to be done for the year. We thought wrong.

With so much focus on Amazon's same-day delivery in the US, the online giant does operate outside the country as well. The fast service has now stretched beyond US borders into Canada right before holiday shopping begins. Canada's The Globe and Mail recently reported Amazon has announced it is launching same-day shipping in Vancouver and Toronto. Amazon.ca, Amazon's Canadian branch, is spearheading the charge to make same-day delivery a well-known option there. The driver of the strategy is to compete with retail leader Wal-Mart, which offers free same-day service there.

Kaan Yigit, president of Solutions Research Group discussed the battle between Amazon and Wal-Mart in the article. He stated the new Amazon service could increase volume and order frequency, which appears to be needed to stay ahead of Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart's service is helping it "start gaining on Amazon..." added Yigit. Experts know the amount of stores Wal-Mart has, which enables it to easily reach a multitude of shoppers, therefore, higher volume and frequency can be made easier. With an option to save time and work shopping in long lines, customers may find Wal-Mart's free same-day service attractive.

Both retailers have made huge same-day delivery investments. Prior to branching the service out into Canada, Amazon added 7 more major US cities that it offers same-day delivery in, including New York City, Dallas, Indianapolis, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, followed by the recent implementation of Atlanta. Amazon has touted about making its' own deliveries, however, they could partner with a nationwide courier like A-1 Express to get the job done, as others like Google have as well.

Wal-Mart has rolled out same-day delivery several US cities on the west and east coast. One of the optional services for faster shopping is "Wal-MarttoGo", which the retailer began testing in Denver stores. The service offers customers the ability to shop online and then come to a participating local store to pick their order up. Shoppers pull up at a curbside location, like a pharmacy pick-up, but instead pick up their online items, ready to go when they get there. Wal-Mart's retail store locations, equating to short distance driving, makes it ideal for it to partner with a same-day courier to perform same-day delivery for them.

As same-day delivery grows among retailers like Wal-Mart, Amazon, Google, Macy's, and others, it will begin to have more impact on overall shipping. More shoppers are seeking ease and convenience, resulting in more shifting business trends. A-1 Express has the logistical expertise and tools needed to help any retailer take the next step into same-day delivery. The Chicago courier can create a same-day logistics solution quickly, especially to gain an advantage in this year's holiday shopping season.

Reference: 11.5.14, The Globe And Mail, Marina Strauss, Amazon.ca raises stakes in same-day delivery service