Wal-Mart's Second E-Commerce Operation Launched In Silicon Valley

Wal-Mart is spreading its’ wings all around the globe and there is no other retailer like it. The company is moving at a fast pace relative to its’ advancement in e-commerce. This aspect of business is becoming so vital for companies, that investment into this area commands technological experts to make it successful. Wal-Mart understands that the key to landing these tech engineers is to open up an e-commerce operation right where they are—Silicon Valley.

This is exactly what the retail giant did, and they now have a second office in Silicon Valley reported Internet Retailer. The new location is about 30 miles away from their San Bruno location. So far, Wal-Mart has almost 500 employees at this office, with plans to expand to 1,000. This is a huge staff undertaking, which shows it’s confidence level in the area. Their San Bruno location has 1,500 employees as well.

In the article, a Wal-Mart spokesman explained the logic behind building the new facility. The spokesman stated, “We chose Sunnyvale to take advantage of the talent density in the South Bay. San Francisco and the peninsula tend to offer design, app and [user interface] talent, and though there’s plenty of tech talent there, the South Bay has a higher concentration of engineers and technologists. We’re expanding to South Bay to geographically target this different skill set.”

The spokesman also shared some reasons why Wal-Mart can compete against the best of them in the area in regards to acquiring new talent in the area. “Competition for tech talent here is fierce, but we're able to attract and retain talent because of our nimble, startup like culture, and the opportunity for technologists to innovate at a global scale only Wal-Mart can offer, we had a 94% acceptance rate for our job offers.” Wal-Mart isn’t going anywhere and tech experts are comfortable with Wal-Mart’s business direction.

That is indeed correct regarding the global reach that Wal-Mart has, especially with its’ own physical locations, which competitors like Amazon and eBay don’t have. This means a broader growth path for many technologists. The retail giant even has an e-retail partner Yihaodian in China that is has a 51% stake in and has helped it thrive there. With Wal-Mart’s expertise and logistical infrastructure, Yihaodian e-web sales spiked upward last year to $2 billion, growing at a rate of 70% in 2013, all because of Wal-Mart’s aggressive move within the world of e-commerce.

Wal-Mart is growing in the US as well, being very innovative with its’ implementation of same-day delivery in major cities. Same-day grocery service has also been launched relative to e-commerce, with its’ recent strategic roll-out in Denver. Select stores in the city are offering “Walmart To Go”, where customers have the option to order their groceries online and then go pick up their order. Wal-Mart’s main e-commerce competitor is Amazon, which also is global and offers AmazonFresh in the US, its’ version of same-day grocery service. A same-day courier like A-1 Express can help large both corporations like these make there deliveries fast and without having to gain any courier expertise themselves.

Reference: 2.7.14, Internet Retailer, Thad Rueter, Wal-Mart opens a second e-commerce office in Silicon Valley

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

Chinese Retailer Delivers In One Hour, So Can Same-Day Courier

Retailers are all diving in head first into same-day delivery and it is revolutionizing the way we do business. Whether it is brick-and-mortar stores delivering online purchases to shoppers' homes or e-retailers fulfilling their online orders fast, e-commerce is literally on the move more than it every has before. This is not only in the US, but worldwide. Ask Kuaishubao.com how to approach same-day delivery and the company will share what its' doing that is making it so successful on its' home turf.

Kuaishubao, a Chinese online retailer, is highly successful with the great service niche of getting products delivered to its' customers within one hour. Internet Retailer reported about the company's trendy same-day delivery that is getting so much attention in China. The retailer provides a guaranteed one-hour delivery within seven Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Per Kuaishubao's CEO and Founder Zhiming Xu, most of their couriers make their deliveries within 30 minutes. This is an astounding figure for same-day delivery.

“I can easily find shopping malls on the Internet, but I could never find an online convenience store. I founded Kuaishubao to build an online convenient store with the fastest delivery in China", said Xu. The Kuaishubao founder said he was inspired by the fast pace if McDonald's hamburger chain. The online delivery system is built on the concept of have many small 1,000 square foot warehouses in each of its' service cities. It also keeps about 1,000 SKU's of products within the warehouses, such as magazines, gifts, instant beverages, and popular books. Each warehouse services about a 3.1 mile radius. With this close proximity, a motorbike driver is able to reach any delivery address in 20 minutes.

The company has the numbers to prove it has a same-day delivery system that works. It has 100,000 registered users and sales are expected to hit $2.5 million this year. This is all with little advertising. The reported stated 40% of its' revenue is from books and magazines, and 20% from ready-to-mix foods and beverages. The gross margin for Kuaishubao is currently 20%, yet can grow as the company seeks to expand. Xu stated he is going to expand to the company into three more cities. Although growth is slow, the longevity of Kuaishubao will depend heavily on a solid foundation to consistently meet online demand. This is exactly why retail giants such as Wal-Mart, eBay, and Amazon have tested same-day delivery before offering it nationwide.

Kuaishubao is just an example of how even small online companies can become be successful with the right delivery system and an out-of-the-box idea. The company uses its' own couriers, however, many other e-retailers use Same-Day Couriers like A-1 Express to meet their same-day delivery needs. This Las Vegas Courier has the courier expertise to assist any e-retailer create a dynamic delivery logistics solution. If Kuaishubao is performing this level of e-retail in China, A-1 Express can help perform hour deliveries in the US.

Reference: 9.16.13, Internet Retailer, Frank Tong, How a Chinese e-retailer delivers the goods in one hour

Wal-Mart Partner Yihaodan Launches Same-Day Delivery Of Fresh Food In China

Wal-Mart hasn't always been a major player in the global market, but now thee retail giant services 28 countries and show no signs of slowing down. Wal-Mart Global is growing tremendously by investing and utilizing e-commerce. The past week showed the direction Wal-Mart is going relative to expanding its' e-retail products in China via its' e-commerce partner Yihaodian.

Internet Retailer has recently reported China online retailer Yihaodian has launched selling fresh fruit in Beijing. Yihaodian began selling online to Shanghai shoppers only five months ago, and now, it has expanded to same-day delivery of fruit of 1,200 order daily. The report also stated the company is seeking to offer the service in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, which are two more large cities that would be profitable.

The retail company has been able to quickly expand its' services largely due to its' partnership with Wal-Mart. Vice President of Yihaodian Guo Dongdong stated, “Since Yihaodian can get the support of the logistics networks of Wal-Mart China, we could enter the fresh food section faster and easier than others”. Wal-Mart operates 390 stores in 150 cities in China, which communicates they are having a high level of success there. The partnership appears to be long-term, and Wal-Global will probably use China as a blueprint for the service in other countries.

Wal-Mart Global's partnership with Yihaodian didn't just recently forge. The companies began working together on the e-commerce front in February 2012. At the time, Wal-Mart Global made a heavy investment into the well-known Chinese e-commerce based company, which sales not only fruit, but also daily consumer items such as groceries, consumer electronics and apparel. Wal-Mart has a 51% stake in Yihaodian. This means Wal-Mart Global is making strong efforts to utilize e-retail to sell its' products.

Yihaodan has gained various advantages by its' Wal-Mart partnership. The company utilizes Wal-Mart warehouses to store the fresh fruit. Wal-Mart also holds import licenses for fresh food, which Chinese consumers prefer them import, especially due to reports of contaminated Chinese food products. Yihaodan has to provide the delivery system of their foods, which does require same-day delivery for its' perishables. Yihaodan has been growing at a double-digit rate since its' joining with Wal-Mart last year.

Wal-Mart Global's success with Yihaodan's fruit and fresh food sales is contingent upon how well the products can be delivered. Same-day delivery courier services such as A-1 Express area viable option for companies that are venturing into expanding their e-retail efforts. Companies like Wal-Mart, eBay, Target, and can use A-1 Express on a a national scale and meet all their same-day delivery needs. Whether fruits or groceries, this New Jersey Courier can create an innovative e-retail courier solution fit for your business strategy.

References: 9.11.13, Internet Retailer, Frank Tong, Wal-Mart’s Chinese e-commerce partner starts selling fresh food

Shutl Announces Two Hires For Same-Day Delivery Launching In US

Many companies are showing they are serious about same-day delivery in the US. From Wal-Mart to eBay, retailers are stepping into the arena to help their sales grow by venturing out into the service. It is changing the way we do business here and appears to be creating great opportunities for untapped growth. London-based delivery company Shutl is now showing just how serious it is about becoming a key player in the same-day delivery US market.

Internet Retailer has reported well-known shipping company Shutl has hired two executives in preparation for its’ launch of same-day delivery in the US. This is expansion for the company, which already provides same-day shipping in the United Kingdom. Their new chief operating officer will be Sean Cornwell. Mr. Cornwell’s experience includes managing director and vice president of international and mobile for eHarmony.com. He also worked with Google within its’ global markets as a group product marketing manager.

Shutl also hired Mike Fiorito, who has been named their head of North American operations. The focus of his position will be to build Shutl’s courier network. Fiorito’s background consists of being the president and CEO of same-day delivery courier Urban Express according to his LinkedIn profile. It appears Shutl has chosen Fiorito, having the US courier service market experience it takes to create a solid foundation in North America. Shutl CEO Tom Allason stated in the report, “We are delighted for Sean and Mike to join Shutl. They bring a wealth of experience developing and scaling consumer-internet and courier businesses across U.S. and globe.”

Shutl has big plans for expansion once it dives into the US market. The company stated in the report it is beginning its’ launching in the major cities of New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. After these cities, Shutl plans to launch services in others such as Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Seattle, Tampa, and more. Shutl also plans to launch same-day delivery in Canada in Montreal and Toronto. Shutl has given no timetable for its’ roll-out in the US. "The timeline for the launch has been pushed back about a month," a spokeswoman says without giving more detail. Even without detail, it appears the launch will be soon since Shutl is moving at such a fast pace.

Some of the moves Shutl is making involves retail partnerships, which the company isn't disclosing right now. There will be no surprise regarding any partnerships they have made due to so many retailers pursuing same-day delivery. Retailers can partner with A-1 Express to implement their same-day delivery solutions nationwide. The San-Francisco Courier has the US expertise and courier network to help any retailer thrive. From physical location deliveries to e-commerce shipments, A-1 Express is the best choice for any of your same-day courier needs.

Reference: 8.14.13, Internet Retailer, Thad Rueter, Same-day delivery service Shutl makes two hires in advance of U.S. launch