Google Launches Shopping Express App for Same-Day Delivery

Retailers big and small are investing more into same-day delivery than ever before. Retail giants like Wal-Mart, eBay, Amazon, Target, BestBuy, and more are offering some form of same-day delivery to get their online products into the hands of their customers fast. Google joined the race this year testing the service. Now, Google is ready to take another leap with its' official expansion of same-day delivery.

Google has announced that same-day delivery program, Google Shopping Express, has been expanded and more customers can now utilize the service. Customers that can use Google Shopping Express are within the delivery zone of San Francisco to San Jose. Google offers online shoppers the option of having their purchases delivered within hours, even up to 9pm. This is a dynamic service for Google being the company is so robust online. Everyone knows Google, which sets the platform for a high level of shopper usage.

The online company will also offer a six-month free trial to shoppers who create a Google Shopping Express Membership through December 31. The final price for the membership has not been released by Google, however, the cost for non-members is $4.99 per store pick up. This pricing for many customers should be attractive, being it is only on a per store basis. Google has partnered with various retailers for Shopping Express.

With the growth of online shopping via techhology such as tablets, smartphones, and ipads, retailers know they must make shopping online with these devices easier. Along with its' same-day delivery e-commerce program, Google also decided to launch a mobile app for shoppers to use as well. This is no surprise since shoppers are using on-the-go technology, especially tablets, to make purchases from wherever they are.

Online retail is growing annually and Google is making the right move at the right time, especially before the holiday season takes off. Other e-retailers have created new services recently as well, namely Wal-Mart and Instacart. Both have begun to create same-day grocery delivery service, which is likely to be very successful. With Wal-Mart, shoppers can even create an online order and come pick up their purchase at various store locations. This shows same-day delivery will have a key role in future e-commerce.

Google is one company on the move with same-day delivery. It's investment, along with many other retail giants, shows this innovative service is not just a trend, but a viable way will conduct business in the future. Same-Day Couriers like A-1 Express can partner with any retailer to meet their same-day delivery needs. This San Francisco Courier has a national footprint, enabling the courier to assist any e-retailer to be successful online.

Reference: 9.25.13, Internet Retailer, Thad Reuter, Google expands its same-day e-commerce delivery program

Deliv Partners With General Growth Properties, Announces Same-Day Delivery To Mall Shoppers

The more popular same-day delivery becomes, the more it is surely effecting the retail industry. Well-known e-retailers like Amazon, eBay, Google, Target, Macy's, and others have been mostly on the front pages regarding their new online trends to offer some form of same-day delivery. Now, one shopping mall operator General Growth Properties appears to be stepping into the race to provide the service and compete online.

General Growth Properties, or GGP, has partnered with Deliv to launch same-day delivery to mall shoppers reported PRNewswire. The service has been implemented to meet the demands of omni-channel retailing and to offer another option for customers to shop from the mall online. With this option of same-day delivery, its' mall shoppers can have an experience as close to physically going to the mall themselves.

The new partnership will begin at four mall locations that GGP owns, which are Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco; Eastridge in San Jose; Glendale Galleria in Los Angeles; and Oakbrook Center in Chicago. Customers can either shop online from that particular mall's website with participating retailers and have their items delivered. Shoppers can also have items delivered from the store, to their desired location, even as gifts.

CEO and founder Daphne Carmeli had nothing but positive remarks regarding being a provider of same-day delivery from malls. She stated, "Shopping malls have been a part of the American culture for decades, providing opportunities for fashion, social activity and convenience. In the Internet age, all retailers, as well as mall operators are looking at ways of continuing to provide outstanding customer experience to shoppers and GGP has shown great initiative introducing the delivery service. With Deliv's unique ability to manage same-day delivery to any location, GGP has established a simple, manageable and prestigious differentiation for its retailers."

This type of same-day delivery will definitely revolutionize the way customers shop at the mall. Many people enjoy the physical mall experience, however, sometimes they simply want to shop online conveniently from home and receive their product. This provides customers with time savings and the effort of traveling themselves. With online retail growing at a rate of 16% annually, there is a lot of value in retailers making an obvious, beneficial investment into providing same-day delivery.

Deliv, with a crowdsourcing delivery system, is not the only viable option for a same-day delivery partner for malls. Malls can partner with same-day couriers like A-1 Express to provide this type of delivery nationwide. This Los Angeles Courier has the logistics expertise and courier technology to develop a same-day delivery solution for online retail. Many well-known e-retailers, such as Wal-Mart, are using couriers instead, and mall retailer can utilize couriers also.

Reference: 8.29.13, prnewswire.com, Deliv Partners with GGP to Bring Same-Day Delivery to Mall Shoppers

Postal Service Hits Gains Among Losses, Can Use Same-Day Delivery

The US Postal Service has had its’ share of challenges in the recent years. However, there are some positive signs in the midst of the heavy drought. This past Friday the agency reported a $740 million loss in the three months up to June 30. It is a large figure, yet it is far less than what it loss in 2012. The USPS reported an overwhelming $5.2 billion loss last year. What is being found is many customers are not using first-class mail like they use to. Many bills are being paid online and the increase in technology is creating more convenient ways to handle everyday business.

One of the issues fueling the fire is the Postal Service health care benefits for future retirees, which is a pre-fund requirement by the US Government. These are yearly payments. The USPS currently owes $5.6 billion to fund these health care costs. This is actually only half of what the agency owed last year, which is due to the company withholding its’ 2011 payment. This year’s payment is due September 30th and the Postal Service is expected to default again. It has also depleted its’ $15 billion taxpayer loan that was given to assist with its’ debt.

The USPS needs some relief. It has attempted again and again for Congress to release the yearly health care benefit requirement to stop the losses. The agency also is requesting to end Saturday delivery of letters. Postal Service CFO Joe Corbett stated in the report, "Without comprehensive postal reform legislation signed into law, our hands are tied and we expect multi-billion dollar annual losses to continue". Without the pre-fund healthcare benefits, the USPS would have generated a $660 million profit in the third quarter this year. Not only is this looming, but its’ workers’ compensation benefits are due in October, which can affect its’ ability to pay its’ operational bills.

The pursuit for reform is not the only strategy the US Postal Service is engaging in to make a comeback. It knows it will require innovation and stepping into new business waters to really thrive again. The agency has launched a new service to compete will the demand for faster and more convenient mail deliveries. It has launched Metro Post, which offers same-day delivery. It is currently being tested in San Francisco. Online business is rises annually at 17% and many companies are aware this is a avenue for growth also. This is a great step for the Postal Service, following the likes of companies such as Wal-Mart, eBay, Google, Macy’s, and others seeking how to meet online demand via same-day delivery.

The USPS does appear to be going in the right direction, especially when it comes to same-day delivery. This is the future of any type of delivery that involves small packages and envelopes that customer need on a daily basis. Same-day couriers such as A-1 Express is able to assist any customers with a same-day delivery solution and deliver fast. The Postal Service can partner with the Portland Courier and become more competitive with all its’ deliveries.

Reference: 8.9.13, CNN Money, Jennifer Liberto, Postal Service loses less, but cash crunch looms

FedEx And UPS Threatened By New E-Commerce Solutions And Same-Day Delivery

E-Commerce is growing bigger and having more impact on the way we do business each year. Because of its’ 16% annual growth, more companies are focusing in on innovative business strategies to meet the demand e-commerce creates, especially relative to shipping. Major e-retailers are even implementing optimal package delivery services themselves, which is keeping shipping giants like Fedex and UPS out of the loop.

Reuters reported Fedex and UPS have new threats in regards to e-commerce and may indeed need to pay attention to what is happening in the industry in the US. E-Retail leaders are not depending on Fedex and UPS like they use to. They are actually creating various delivery solutions, such as building warehouses in various locations close enough to fulfill their own deliveries. Amazon is aggressively implementing this same model, building distribution centers closer and closer to its’ customers. It equates to saving millions in shipping costs. The company has also increased usage of its’ own delivery trucks.

Global retailer Wal-Mart is making its’ own moves in the e-commerce arena as well. Instead of fulfilling online orders from its’ warehouses hundreds of miles away, Wal-Mart is simply shipping directly from local stores closest to the customer. The article stated Wal-Mart has being doing this for years and has now decided to increase their online store shipping program to 50 locations. This is double the amount it already has. "We are at least two zones closer by utilizing the stores," Anderson said. "The closer we can inject the order into our network, the more this saves the customer time and reduces what it will cost us to get it to the customer."

Wal-Mart is even testing same-day delivery to its’ shoppers in various cities nationwide. Other retailers such as Macy’s, BestBuy, and Target are taking the same delivery course, pursuing to keep their sales up at their brick-and-mortar stores. M-Commerce, or Mobile-Commerce, via ipads, tablets, etc., is playing a role in the increase of online sales. This has ultimately fueled the revenue for e-retailers to where it now makes sense to invest and deliver themselves. Fedex and UPS are essentially being cut out of the picture.

"UPS and FedEx are not only watching this, they are likely concerned about it. Big companies like Amazon and Wal-Mart will dictate which direction this goes. Those are the companies that FedEx and UPS need to fill their planes and trucks,” said Lou Tapper, an executive at third-party logistics company Longistics and former FedEx employee for 18 years. In the past, the increase in e-commerce sales would have been more guaranteed revenue for FedEx and UPS. This is not the case anymore.

E-Retailers are now seeking to get their online orders delivered faster than what Fedex and UPS can offer. Same-day couriers like A-1 Express being partnered with to develop courier logistic solutions to make their delivery systems work. This Portland Courier has a national footprint and the courier expertise to keep up with the growth of e-commerce.

Reference: 7.14.13, Reuters, Alistair Barr, Analysis: New e-commerce strategies threaten UPS, FedEx

Waterfield Designs Launches Same-Day Delivery In San Francisco

E-Retailers all across the US are implementing more business strategies focusing on same-day delivery. It use to be far from attainable, however, now it is being tested and proven to work within certain demographics. Online business is increasing at a fast pace and opening wide the door to increase sales for the companies that can offer it. WaterField Designs is one of those companies that has decided to jump on board and provide same-day delivery.

The PR Web reported the WaterField Designs has launched its’ same-day delivery service in San Francisco. The manufacturer will be offering the service locally via Metro Post delivery. Metro Post is a US Postal Service company. The cost for local same-day delivery will be $8. The low price is sure to attract customers. Orders will be taken via the company’s retail site sfbags.com. With this option, Waterfield will deliver all in-stock items ordered before 1:00 pm between 4:00 and 8:00pm the same day.

Customer will be alerted within 24 hours if a product is out-of -stock. With Metro Post being a USPS service, all size and weight restrictions will be the same. Another great feature Waterfield will provide is a delivery notification via the USPS track and confirm tool. Customers will have the convenience of receiving this type of update, especially because it is same-day delivery. This type of delivery may be time-sensitive for the customer, therefore, it is a plus for the new service. Customers will be able to call Metro Post for any delivery issues or changes.

Waterfield appears to be excited about their new same-day delivery. Waterfield owner Gary Waterfield stated in the report, "Sometimes you see something online and you want to wear it tomorrow. Now you can do that here in San Francisco with WaterField Designs. And, buying online saves both time and money—no high retail markups when you purchase directly from our online store. San Franciscans are going to love this service." The company was awarded 7x7 Magazine's Favorite Small Business Award this year for its' ability to provide service innovation. This level of service shows Waterfield definitely is a trailblazer in the bag industry.

Waterfield will have their laptop sleeves, bags and other digital gear at the doorstep of its’ customers in no time. Other retailers, such as Wal-Mart, eBay, Amazon, and more, are also testing some form of same-day delivery in San Francisco. Even Macy’s, BestBuy and Target are testing the service as well. It is definitely a service that e-retailers are viewing as the delivery system of the future. This level of service will be pivotal in working out any delivery issues before the holiday season arrives as well.

Waterfield is just one example of how same-day delivery can impact an online company’s ability to market and promote itself to customers. It creates a competitive advantage for any e-retailer. Same-day couriers like A-1 Express can partner with Waterfield or any e-retailer, to create a courier logistics solution to meet its’ same-day delivery needs. A-1 Express also has a national footprint, which makes it easier to implement a delivery solutions.

Reference: 7.9.13, PR Web, Waterfield designs same-day delivery service within San Francisco via US Postal Service’s Metro Post