Postmates Using iPhone App For One-Hour Same-Day Deliveries

Many retailers are currently testing and implementing same-day delivery, not only in the US, but globally. One plus about same-day delivery is it has enabled customers to receive their online products within one day. However, depending on the company, its' same-day delivery could take hours and cost a pretty good penny to use it. Upcoming online retailer, Postmates, is looking to change that and offer customers a same-day delivery service that competitors will have to take notice of.

Internet Retailer reported Postmates is setting out to take mobile commerce to another level, offering product deliveries within one hour. Postmates plans on using an iPhone app to do it. The app will allow customers in San Francisco and Seattle to order goods from local retailers and restaurants to start with. The cost for the one-hour delivery will range from $5 to $12. This one-hour service, if done effectively, will definitely get the attention of shoppers and online retailers.

The service via the iPhone is a premium service and customers will have this option if they so choose. Kristin Schaefer, Postmates Director of Growth stated in the article, “It is an on-demand service. You request a delivery via our iPhone app and a courier—on bike, scooter or in a car—is then dispatched to buy and deliver your item. You can track your courier, get real-time estimated times of arrival and pay seamlessly using your phone.” It appears Postmates will utilize same-day couriers like A-1 Express to perform the one-hour deliveries on their behalf. This is effective, considering Postmates will need a partner that has an expertise in fast deliveries, which couriers do have.

The way the service works is a Postmates courier arrives at the restaurant or store the customer has used the iPhone app and buys the goods just as the shopper would. They then deliver the customers' app purchases to the destination. This eliminates the need to sign up merchants to participate in the delivery service program. Schaefer also stated, “You can get anything you want delivered in under an hour. Food from any restaurant, groceries, beer, wine, Nikes, make-up and electronics.” Shoppers will be able to rate their courier as well, which will help manage an optimal delivery personnel.

Since Postmates use of the app, they have experienced great results. The company has processed more than $1 million worth of deliveries from merchants in San Francisco and Seattle within the last three months. It's delivery volume is growing at 20% per month. Another statistic that is helping the growth is Postmates user growth is at 40% per month as well. This appears will ultimately end in nothing but positive results in the months ahead for Postmates, especially with the holiday season on the horizon.

iPhones, iPads, smartphones, and other mobile devices are going right in line with growth of online shopping. It is easier now than it has ever been to for customers to make purchases online, right from their homes and have an online product delivered their doorsteps. Online sales have increases by 16% consistently over recent years and mobile-commerce increases at the same time. With this type of iPhone app and the popularity of Apple, fast deliveries is sure to continue to grow.

An iPhone with the ability to create deliveries of online products is essentially what same-day delivery is being provided by same-day couriers like A-1 Express. This Dallas Courier is a viable option for online retailers to partner with gain the ground they need to be competitive in mobile commerce. With the continued growth online, A-1 Express can quickly implement a courier logistics solution that will help any online business keep up and soar in the years ahead.

References: 5.30.13, Internet Retailer, An iPhone app enables delivery within an hour

Will Amazon Begin Same-Day Delivery Of Groceries?

There's no bigger online retailer than Amazon. The online giant has the lead competition for several years with innovative delivery and shipping methods, including Amazon Prime and Amazon Lockers. Its' product line has involved virtually any consumer product you could name and have it shipped quickly to you, with the exception of food on a major scale. However, from recent reports, it appears online groceries will be next on Amazon's list.

Reuters has reported Amazon will roll out an online grocery business expansion plan, which will incorporate the selling of food with high-margin item deliveries within the same order. Its' grocery business AmazonFresh is not new, but rather has been tested for at least five years in Seattle, its' hometown. Amazon has utilized its' own fleet of trucks to perform deliveries of fresh food products. With the testing of the service, Amazon appears to be ready to expand into Los Angeles this month and also San Francisco later in the year.

Experts approve of the move forward for the new online grocery business, apparently hailed to be tried and tested by Amazon. "Amazon has been testing this for years and now it's time for them to harvest what they've learned by expanding outside Seattle," said Bishop, chief architect at Brick Meets Click, a consulting firm. He continued, "The fear is that grocery is a loss leader and Amazon will make a profit on sales of other products ordered online at the same time. That's an awesomely scary prospect for the grocery business."

AmazonFresh will have the warehouse capability to accommodate the big move as well. Amazon will have new warehouses that can store one million general merchandise products, as well as refrigeration areas for food. The online company has no trouble building needed facilities to specific areas of the US to meet their online demand. Amazon has opened 20 distribution centers and 79 fulfillment centers worldwide as of 2013. This is not including an announcement to build three new distribution centers in Texas earlier this year.

The combination of food and retail products within one order is what will make the difference in making online grocery delivery successful. However, with this being food, the question still remains what effective method of delivery will be used to get these items in hands of online shoppers? It only makes sense that online groceries will require same-day delivery to make it work. Amazon will encounter online grocery chain competitors such as Wal-Mart, which is already testing same-day delivery within San Francisco and other US cities.

The key for AmazonFresh will be to deliver its' online food products cost effectively on a large scale and fast. Same-day couriers like A-1 Express will be just the right fit for the delivery demands nationwide it will require. The Los Angeles Courier has a national footprint, which will enable Amazon to have one partner for an optimal same-day delivery logistics solution. With its' courier expertise, A-1 Express will be able to provide quick implementation of food deliveries and keep up with ongoing online grocery service growth.

References: 6.4.13, Reuters.com, Alistair Barr, Amazon plans big expansion of online grocery business: sources

With Huge First Quarter Loss, JC Penney Looks To Improve Online Shopping

In 2011, JC Penney's began pursuing to turn their retail ship around and back on a course of success. The retail company even hired former Apple retail executive Ron Johnson to lead the charge for future growth. The company has not seen the incline it has hoped for and in the first quarter of this year, JC Penney has hit huge losses for the worst.

CNNMoney reports JC Penney has suffered a first quarter loss of $289 million and a decrease of sales of 16.4% from 2012. Its' shares fell 2.2% on Thursday. This occurs after the step down of CEO Ron Johnson. The former CEO pursued to revive the company with new ideas and initiatives. He pursued to implement changes such as overhaul pricing, redesigned store layouts, and create mobile and self-checkout machines within stores. The attempt has not given JC Penney's the growth it is looking for so far.

JC Penney's now has new CEO Mike Ullman at the helm now and he knows there is work to be done. "We recognize the magnitude of the challenges that we face, and we believe we can put J.C. Penney back on a pathway to profitable growth", stated Ullman in an analyst conference call. One of the first actions the company has taken is admitting mistakes and asking customers to return via a YouTube channel ad. The company has also received a $1.75 billion loan from Goldman Sachs for the big push forward.

Former CEO Johnson did have a pursuit that has not change with Ullman, which is online retail. One of the areas Ullman mentioned about improving was relative to its' online store. "Over the last year, jcp.com functioned as a completely separate entity inside the company, with little synergy between stores and online," said Ullman. He pledged to reemphasize their private brands and increase its' online store performance.

Online shopping has had a great impact on many brick-and-mortar stores, some of which have ended up closing such as Circuit City, which JC Penney is pursuing to not have the same fate. The direction is clear that e-retail has now created a major revolution in the business world and brick-and-mortar stores must go with shift if they want to thrive. Large retailers such as Wal-Mart, Macy's, eBay, Google, and more are making online shopping a top business objective, putting the pieces together to make it more attractive and effective.

All of these online giants are even implementing same-day delivery of their online products as e-retail and mobile commerce becomes a standard in the way we do business. Same-day couriers like A-1 Express are being partnered with to offer delivery services to get online shoppers their products to their front door easy and fast. The Phoenix Courier has a national footprint and is able to assist companies like JC Penney implement profitable online store delivery ideas and solutions.

References: 5.16.13, CNNMoney, James O'Toole, Another massive loss for J.C. Penney

US E-Commerce Set To Reach $434 Billion By 2017, Retailers Can Use Couriers

Many have been watching the growth of e-commerce over recent years and has not slowed down. It's growth is currently at an average of 16% per year. E-Commerce sales appear they will continue to do so in the years to come as well. Experts have now put numbers to their findings and show they will reach very high by 2017.

According to eMarketer Incorporated, e-commerce sales will reach $434 billion by 2017 reported Internet Retailer. The projection is at a compounded annual growth rate. 2013 sales are expected to reach $258.9 billion. This is up from sales for 2012, which ended at $225.5 billion. This is also an increase from 2011, which was 15.8% at $194.7 billion. They project the numbers will taper off yearly and will be as the following: 14.6% in 2014, 14.2% in 2015, 13.6% in 2016 and 12.8% in 2017.

The report discussed how mobile devices are weighing in as a key component to the projected online growth. EMarketer has find that currently smartphones and tablets are accounting for 11% of e-commerce sales. They project by 2017, mobile devices will steadily grow, and they will account for 25% of all e-commerce sales. This is a large percentage considering this means one fourth of all e-commerce sales shoppers will perform transactions on-the-go, at home, or somewhere else. This shows shoppers will continue to seek convenience and speed to get their online purchases in their hands.

Web sales increase will be largely seen in the category of computers and electronics. These categories will account for $56.8 billion in 2013, equating to 21.9% of all e-commerce growth. Apparel and accessory categories will also rank as being on high online demand by shoppers. They will reach $54.2 billion this year, which equates to 20.9% of web sales this year. Shoppers have products they are looking for on the web and will be cross-shopping to get the deals they are looking for, especially with knowing there will always be a deal available if they purchase online.

Web traffic has a lot to do will the forecast as well. There is an increased online traffic for retail giants like Amazon in 2012, where online traffic grew 3% in the fourth quarter at 115 million. Macy's online traffic grew 11% in the fourth quarter at 118 million. There certainly appears to be a trend that e-commerce is steadily growing and consumers are more comfortable shopping online. With the increase of e-commerce, many online retailers such as Wal-Mart, eBay, Nordstrom's, Target, and more are testing same-day delivery for their e-commerce sales to offer the components of online shopping customers are looking for.

A same-day courier like A-1 Express can assist retailers capitalize on the e-commerce growth. This nationwide courier is able to develop a courier logistics solution that fits the online delivery needs of retailers. As e-commerce continues at this fast pace, an optimal delivery system by a same-day courier will be just what e-retailers need to compete through 2017 and beyond.

Reference: 4.25.13, Internet Retailer, Allison Enright, U.S. e-commerce sales could top $434 billion in 2017

Lower Gas Prices This Summer, Use Courier For Same-Day Deliveries

Gas prices have fluctuated upwards over first few months of the new year, and many have been hoping they would lower. As Summer approaches, we are finally seeing gas prices turn around and show some signs of life. It has now been reported gas prices will get cheaper in the months to come.

It has been forecasted by the Energy Information Administration that we will pay less at the pump this coming Summer reported CNN Money. The agency estimates the average price for gas will roughly $3.63 per gallon. This beats out the average around this time last year of $3.69. The EIA even projects cheaper gas prices next year, which we could very well experience a full-year average price per gallon of $3.39. This would definitely make many drivers and transportation companies very happy.

One reason prices will be kept low is due to more fuel efficient cars on the highway. Another reason is the increase in oil production in North America. The economic recovery of the US will more than likely be aided by the cheaper gas prices. Consumers will be able to have more money for spending this summer. This will also affect lower traveling costs for consumers and airlines. The affect of gas could be just what the economy needs to make a big leap for the the remainder of the year.

This highest year average on record for the US was in 2012 at $3.69 per gallon. In 2008, the US experienced its' most expensive driving season with an average of $3.81 per gallon. AAA also reported the highest daily price on record of $4.11 a gallon on July 17th that same year. The current national average for gas is $3.58, which is down from $3.69 last month. California and Hawaii have the highest current average, toppling over the $4 mark.

Gas prices decreasing is great news compared to a couple of month ago. In February, the price of gas increased for 32 consecutive days. The national average of almost $3.75 per gallon and analysts forecasted the prices could impact the US economic recovery. Known oil producer Brent Crude Oil reached its' highest oil price in nine months at $119.17. Along with projected oil production shortages, many felt gas prices could eclipse $5 per gallon this Summer.

With gas prices getting cheaper, businesses can continue to save on their transportation costs by using a courier. Same-day couriers like A-1 Express are a viable option instead of using employees for daily deposits, part distribution and time-sensitive deliveries. Even with lower gas prices, this Charlotte courier can perform same-day deliveries at a lower cost because of route optimization and transportation expertise. A-1 Express can create a courier logistics solution specific to your same-day delivery needs.

Reference: 4.9.13., CNNMoney, Chris Isidore, You'll pay a little less for gas this summer