German Logistics Firm DPD Joins In, Launches Same-Day Delivery

Other countries have companies that are in hot pursuit of same-day delivery. It’s not hard to think of as we consider what is happening in our own. In the US, retailers such as Wal-Mart, Amazon, Google, eBay and others are racing to offer same-day courier services to their customers. London-based delivery company Shutl, was just bought by eBay, as the retail giant strives to service the UK more effectively online. Yet, the same is happening with logistics companies abroad.

Reuters recently reported that German logistics firm DPD has announced it will be launching same-day delivery in 19 different German cities. DPD will be partnering with courier service Tiramizoo to bring the highly sought-after service to pass in those areas. This is quite a move by DPD, yet is shows just how much same-day delivery has captured the attention of the world. DPD did not state the timeframe in which same-day delivery will be implemented in the cities, however, with so much opportunity regarding online business and competition growing globally, it will probably move fast.

The main driver for the logistics firm stepping into the same-day delivery game is to give brick-and-mortar retailers a way to compete with dominating online retailers, such as Amazon. Boris Winkelmann, chief operating office of PDP, stated in the report, “This service will help traditional retailers which are going into e-commerce to differentiate themselves from pure online players. This service allows them to generate an advantage from their store network". Physical retail stores have to create a way to compete. Otherwise, online retailers will continue to take market share and expand. Business trends and technology is changing, therefore, retailers must change along with it or get left behind.

DPD now has 20% of the stake holding in the Tiramizoo. The same-day courier already delivers goods for German online retailer Conrad and testing delivery of electronics for Metro’s Media Market electronics chain. Instead of DPD taking on creating same-day delivery, they decided to invest in a courier that already knows what they are doing, which creates a platform for quick implementation. Other delivery companies have begun same-day delivery, such as Fed Ex and the US Postal Service. This shows that the direction of technology is shaping a business world where time can be maximized and speed of deliveries means being a step ahead of the competition.

The logistics firm does expect for the same-day delivery service to be used for more expensive goods, such as electronics and high-end fashion. The cost to provide the service will begin at an additional 8.50 Euros, which equates to $11.50. The price is different from what Germans are used to said Winkelmann in the report. They are used to delivery being free. Although this is changing, DPD foresees it will be successful. More brick-and-mortar retailers will probably jump on board in Germany and partner with DPD to grow their e-commerce business segment. Many companies in the US have made different moves to get their e-commerce business to grow, such as Target and Best Buy working with eBay to have their products delivered from physical stores.

DPD recognizes that online business is the direction the business world is headed toward. As a logistics company, DPD is in a position to partner with retail companies and help them. Retailers in the US can partner with a Same-Day Courier like A-1 Express and implement same-day delivery nationwide as well. This New York Courier is an expert at same-day delivery and can create a logistics solution to meet a retailer’s online demand. A-1 Express can quickly implement same-day delivery and help physical retailers compete, especially in the upcoming holiday season.

Reference: 11.7.13, Reuters, German logistics firm DPD launches same-day delivery

EBay Announces Expansion of EBay Now Same-Day Delivery Service

Look out Amazon, here comes another counter in the fight for same-day delivery. EBay is competing with same-day delivery in the world of e-retail. Up to now, the online giant started testing the service in certain cities, making sure the service could be profitable and work all the bugs out. It appears eBay has made plenty of headway in creating a same-day delivery system that works and is starting to expand.

EBay has announced the company is expanding eBay Now into more cities. The selected cities up to date have been San Francisco, San Jose and parts of New York City. The new cities eBay is venturing into is Brooklyn, Queens and the larger bay peninsula areas. The report also stated other city expansions will be added later in the year in Chicago and Dallas. These both are big, major US cities that have the demographics to make eBay Now effective. The service consists of only paying $5 to have your online order to be delivered within that same day.

It will also for be expanding for pc and mobile device shoppers. The move was based upon consumer demand, which from their testing, must have proved to be stable enough to launch the service to pc users. EBay local and mobile vice president Dane Glasgow stated in a blog, “More than half our orders are made between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. when our customers are usually at work. We want to make it easy for consumers to access eBay Now on any device.”

On the heels of e-commerce is m-commerce. With so many mobile devices available and in high use today, consumers can make online purchases conveniently from wherever they may be. Online business is growing at 16%, which may increase to 17% this year. EBay is not oblivious to the fact that consumers are going to want their online purchases delivered to them as fast as they order it. This is why same-day delivery is growing and being implemented, not only in the US, but worldwide.

Amazon and Google are even in hot pursuit of some from of same-day delivery service. Amazon is building distribution centers closer and closer to consumers in an effort to provide quick delivery of its’ online orders. The company has also just expanded Amazon Fresh online grocery delivery service last month to Los Angeles, which use to be in Seattle. More than likely, this is the first of many expansions for Amazon, as it continues to compete against eBay.

EBay is not performing the delivers by itself. The online giant is partnering with same-day couriers like A-1 Express to handle its’ same-day delivery. This New York Courier is able to implement fast and efficient same-day delivery solutions. A-1 Express is a viable option for companies seeking to expand its’ e-retail business and would like to have a national footprint to meet customer demand. Couriers are an excellent choice for same-day delivery and can help eBay capture the sales growth being presented by eBay Now.

Reference: Internet Retailer, 7.22.13, Thad Rueter, eBay Expands Its eBay Now Same-Day Delivery Service

Here Comes Cyber Monday, Couriers Offer Retailers Same-Day Delivery

Cyber Monday is almost here and shoppers are ready. Mobile commerce is growing, with a 66% increase on Thanksgiving this year. Following a big Black Friday, e-retailers are happy and expecting for the new popular sales day to be the same.

Cyber Monday is expected to generate online sales of roughly $1.5 billion this year, which is up from $1.2 billion from 2011. CNN Money reported the forecast from Andrew Lipsman, industry analyst expert. Last year's record for Cyber Monday hit $52.4 billion, which includes days beginning on Thanksgiving up to Cyber Monday. Retailers started this year revealing their online shopping deals on Thanksgiving, which IBM Benchmark shows sales increased by 17%.

IBM Benchmark also reported in the article online sales were up 24% on Black Friday by evening time. E-Retailers are making a big push to promote online shopping throughout the 4-day frenzy. Jay Henderson, IBM Strategy Director stated, "We've absolutely seen this whole weekend turn into one big promotional event. Black Friday deals are no longer just for the [brick-and-mortar] store, and Cyber Monday deals are no longer just for Monday." Retailers such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy, stated their online sales even before Thanksgiving.

Retailers have definitely stepped outside the box to capture shoppers' attention for Cyber Monday. Online retailers also are stepping outside the box testing markets to offer same-day delivery for online sales. Retailers understand that shoppers desire to receive what they buy faster than ever. It's not enough to have a great deal, but the shopper has to wait days to receive it. The company that can meet the delivery demand will be the retailers that comes out on top.

Same-day couriers like A-1 Express can help retailers provide same-day delivery on Cyber Monday. This New York courier has a a national footprint and the expertise to meet any same-day delivery demand. A-1 Express can also be partnered with to respond to immediate delivery returns of merchandise, resulting in high level of customer responsiveness. From small packages to large freight, A-1 Express delivers every time!

References: 11.23.12, CNN Money, Julianne Pepitone, Cyber Monday starts early this year

Wal-Mart And E-Retailer Yihaodian Provide Same-Day Delivery Fast In China

Wal-Mart is not only servicing the the US, but is a large global player in the retail market, servicing 28 countries. Wal-Mart Global is not only brick and mortar, but also online and greatly pursuing growth in various markets via e-commerce. Wal-Mart has partnered with a leading e-retailer to use e-commerce in an effective way.

In February 2012, Wal-Mart Global announced a stronger investment into Yihaodian, a well-known B2C e-commerce based company, which sales daily items such as groceries, consumer electronics, and apparel. The investment gave Wal-Mart a 51% stake in Yihaodian. Wal-Mart made it known they are very serious in capturing a strong presence in the China market. China is currently a leader in consumer buying.

Neil Ashe, Walmart Global eCommerce CEO, said earlier this year about the partnership with Yihaodian, "This investment further enables Walmart to deliver a superb customer experience to Chinese consumers that are already connected to the world through smart phones and social media. We are on track to create the next generation of eCommerce, offering the latest in online innovations to give our customers a unique shopping experience. Our further investment in Yihaodian demonstrates that we are committed to investing in China in a key growth industry and developing all that goes with it: logistics, infrastructure, innovative talent and new technologies that will help China meet its development goals".

Yihaodan, started in 2008 and has more than 180,000 sku's of the same daily products that Wal-Mart sales on a regular basis. The company has 5,400 employees and is one of the fasted growing companies in China. As of September this year, Wal-Mart and Yihaodian have made a powerful partnership. Internet Retailer recently reported Yihaodian provides same-day delivery to the largest cities in China. With 34 delivery stations throughout China, the e-retailer takes half a day to fulfill their orders. The company also provides next-day delivery of consumer items as well.

It had been discussed last year about Wal-Mart providing a grocery delivery service. We have not seen this implemented in the US thus far, however, this type of e-commerce in China could be an indicator of what is to come with the world leader of retail. Mobile commerce is becoming the wave of the future and companies like Wal-Mart are changing their business strategies to meet the increase of online demand. The key to e-commerce is not the product, but the speed in which the customer can receive it. Wal-Mart partnering with Yihaodan recognizes that same-day delivery is what will ultimately cause a company's e-commerce to thrive.

Wal-Mart Global is successful with e-retail partner Yihaodan because their delivery system works. Your company can do the same. Same-day delivery couriers such as A-1 Express are who many companies are turning to as the best option to become a force in online business. A-1 Express is not only local, but has a national footprint in the US and can meet all of your same-day delivery needs. This New York Courier can complete order fulfilments fast and can quickly implement courier solutions for the broadest scale of e-commerce.

References: 2.19.12, Wal-Mart Stores, PR Wire, Walmart Global eCommerce Announces Increased Investment in Yihaodian; 9.12.12, Internet Retailer, Dan Davis, Wal-Mart’s Chinese e-retail partner delivers fast