Panic At The Pump After Sandy Storm, Couriers Expect To Soon Operate

Amid the Superstorm Sandy aftermath, there are a number of challenges the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey residents are having to face to make ends meet. One of those was gas, but it is not now. However, residents are behaving as if there will be a gas shortage and there is a panic occurring in many hard hit areas.

CNNMoney reports of panic at the pump because people fear there will be a gas shortage headed their way this week. Many people by the droves are at gasonline lines to full up their tanks, not in only in their cars, but also walk-ins. There has been lines formed with cars and a separate lines for walk-ins with gas containers. Some people are even waiting 4 hours to fill up with gas. Police have to keep the peace. It is a response of fear that all the gas will be gone.

There are many reasons this happens. In the report, an oil and gas expert stated usually after large storms this type of behavior occurs is such places like Florida. People anticipate a gas shortage and they rush to the pumps all at one time. A week later after Superstorm Sandy, this is exactly what is happening. Also, social media has in part in sparking panic and fear about gas. Many people hear about gasoline availability and they all rush there at the same time. Everyone needs gas, but this makes it difficult to be spread where everyone can readily obtain it.

Inspite of the panic, there is said to be plenty of gas in NY. The Jersey turnpike and other NY terminals have gas right now. They have bulk storage tanks of 10 million gallons. It is a matter of receiving the electricity required to access the gas. The panic should be subsiding this week and signs of this is already being seen in South New Jersey. Currently, some gas stations are rationing gas using license plates, just to make sure everyone gets there immediate share. This eliminates wait time at the pump, due to the gas station itself having to refuel.

Many people and business in the storm-hit areas are pursuing to get back up and running. Courier services such as A-1 Express are working hard to be right along with them to assist in their delivery needs. In several areas, continual gas supply is what the same-day couriers are facing to start back running, yet should be seeing signs of complete recovery. A-1 Express is helping transport, from other cities, various products into some areas. We are proud to be a leading provider of same-day delivery services nationwide, and we are in full support of storm relief and recovery.

References: 11.4.12, CNN Money, Jennifer Liberto, Behind the gas panic: One expert explains

U.S. Postal Service Testing Same-Day Delivery, Helping E-Retailers Before Holidays

From its' inception in 1792, the United States Postal Service has always provided mailing services to millions, but never on the same day. With the latest financial crisis due to a lower consumer use of small mail, the USPS looks for a new strategy to develop sales growth and they may have found it.

The US Postal Service filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission they will begin testing same-day delivery for e-retailers beginning in November reported the Internet Retailer last week. The service is going to be tested with certain e-retailers around November 12th, which is right before the holiday rush. The USPS stated, "The volume of packages continues to grow along with the growth in e-commerce. Providing this service is a way for us to help increase revenue by increasing our package business and also provide better, faster service for our customers." This was the one element of the Postal Service that deterred most consumers with quicker delivery demands.

The USPS will be helping e-retailers delivery their products during the testing period between 4pm and 8pm. The online orders from participating e-retailers will be made between 2pm and 3pm that day, then delivered by the Postal Service. The price of the same-day service will be determined by each of the e-retailers. To be one of their participating e-retailers, the company must have at least 10 physical locations nationwide and at least one location within the metro post.

The exploring of a new course to generates sales comes after the company reached its'$15 billion borrowing limit from Congress. The Postal Service is facing insolvency by next spring and is desperately in need of the government to step in to assistance. Their cash reserves are low. Although regular mail sending has declined, they are expecting for the increase of holiday mail to keep their employees and contractors paid. It is no coincidence the USPS has turned to seeking after same-day delivery to increase their revenue.

Many large companies are currently performing various types of testing of same-day delivery in San Francisco as well as other cities in the US. EBay began testing their same-day deliveries earlier this year with e-retailers such as Macy's, Target, and Best Buy. Amazon has increased building of their order fulfillment centers, foregoing their sales tax break. Many experts believe the online giant is setting up itself to perform same-day delivery nationwide. Even Wal-Mart has weighed in, which already performs same-day delivery in China and testing the service in several US markets like Philadelphia and San Jose as well.

Same-day delivery has become a reality in e-commerce now. Any company engaging in online business is going to need same-day delivery of its' products to compete. A company does not have to have the capability to perform the deliveries themselves. Your business can utilize a courier to perform same-day deliveries for you. Nationwide couriers such as A-1 Express can assist any company to meet their online demand and delivery their products door-to-door. A-1 Express can quickly implement a courier solution to delivery your products fast! With the USPS getting involved in same-day deliveries, e-retailing is definitely changing and a courier can help your company change as well.

References: 10.17.12, www.internetretailer.com, U.S. Postal Service will test same-day delivery for e-retailers

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

Nintendo Wii U Pre-Orders Sell Out, Companies Have To Meet Online Deliveries

Expects are predicting online shopping will go up this year. As companies gear up for this year's holiday season, technology is leading the pack. Online pre-orders have been selling out for some top tech gadgets this September.

Two of the most anticipated technology products have been the iPhone 5 and the Nintendo Wii. YahooNews recently reported Nintendo's joined the likes of Apple this month, selling out of their online pre-orders. Target, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Sears, and KMart were among the list of major retailers that have ended all pre-orders. Nintendo released their announcement last week, and customers are set to receive their new Wii's on November 18th, right before Thanksgiving arrives. The console will also be available in physical stores that day as well.

The Apple iPhone 5 was reported to have sold out of 2 million units for pre-order in the first 24 hours of their release date. With the demand for the new phone still at a strong pace, Apple has now had to inform some customers they would not receive their iPhone 5 for another 3-4 weeks. With the powerful effects of just one technology advancement such as the iPhone, shopping is being revolutionized before our very eyes. The use of the new iPhone 5 to make purchases via online for the coming holiday season this year is sure to follow.

The online orders prove that e-commerce is becoming an even stronger vehicle for shopping then ever before. With the use of technology, such as the iPhone 5, selling and shopping is very convenient. The only piece of the puzzle left to complete the success of online shopping is how fast can a customer receive their product. Same-day delivery is what online giants like Amazon and eBay are after, because they realize technology is changing the way we do business.

It is understood that this year is huge for online business. It is predicted via Internet Retailer that online sales will increase by 17% this year. Online sales, however, will only as good as your delivery system. Demand is high, but only the company that can keep up with it will ultimately win.

Courier services such as A-1 Express are able to assist companies deliver their products they sell online. This nationwide courier knows what is takes to provide same-day delivery successfully on a consistent basis. With over 1,500 clients and growing, A-1 Express continues to prove itself as a courier that is on pace with modern technology and the same-day delivery demand of e-commerce. A courier can be a strategic partner to take advantage of the anticipated growth and opportunity for the remainder of the year.

References: YahooNews, 9.21.12, CNBC-Nintendo's Wii U Already Selling Out Online

Consumeron Receives Patent Utilizing Mobile Video Devices For Same-Day Delivery

The hunt for same-day delivery is not just happening with the big boys. Many companies are following suit and in the race to provide the most sought after service option since the e-commerce boom. With the creation of mobile devices and tablets, every business knows customers are shopping all the time. This means they are buying something and that something can be their product.

The evolution that same-day delivery causes does not stop with someone just picking up your purchase and have it in your hands within hours. It is more than that with a new personal assistance on demand delivery service company called Consumeron. In a recent article from Telepresence Options, the company says what if you not only had your shopping item delivered, but you could actually see live in real time what the driver purchased for you from that same store.

Consumeron announced their patent issued on the lucrative technology this past week. It includes the patent for remote acquisition and delivery of goods with real-time video inspection. Their same-day delivery service will consist of who they term as stationed mobile delivery agents or “grabbers” throughout various areas of cities. When an order is placed for a product online, the customer will be able to locate and choose the closest grabber to make the pick up of their purchase. That grabber would go into the store and via Consumeron’s new device, the shopper will be given visibility to what the grabber sees. This is as close to feeling the product an online shopper can get.

Customers will be able to use point-of-view video streaming and inspect the very goods they are buying. “We’re so advanced in some areas but backwards in others. Today, when you have to go get it yourself. The most important part of delivery-the last mile-hasn’t really evolved at all. To be able to get anything you need when you need it is just common sense,” said Consumeron CEO and Co-Inventor Mark Barron regarding the delivery of goods in the article. He went on to say, “Consumeron could open up a world of options, and finally bridge the worlds of online shopping and brick-and-mortar retail.”

This is a testament to just how far technology has come. Online shopping is a great convenience already, yet this type of service just makes the online experience friendly and better. To be successful in the e-commerce world, in the middle of the business and consumer, will have to be a courier service.

The boom in the pursuit for same-day delivery has created a fresh and new demand for courier services like A-1 Express. This is a nationwide courier that has the expertise businesses are looking to partner with to put them over the top regarding same-day delivery. A-1 Express understands the latest online service demands and operates with the latest in courier technology to meet them.

Reference: 9.6.12, Jessie Prashar, Mobile Telepresence Adds Fuel To The Race For Same-Day Delivery