The news this week that Royal Mail workers are planning strike action will have set retailers’ nerves on edge. Managing peak is hard enough without the threat that parcels simply won’t get delivered at one of the busiest times of the year. It’s probable that the action will be averted – since Royal Mail will know the impact such action could have – but it’s a reminder once more that retailers should ensure they don’t have all their eggs in one basket.
In last week’s editorial we talked about the fact that it’s better to be honest about problems around delivery and so it’s interesting this week to see a new report that suggests that retailers are failing to be upfront about their returns policies with only 6% promoting their policies at all three key stages of the returns process.
In our opinion piece this week Mark Bigley, CEO of Secured Mail, reveals why he believes that more retailers should be making use of free delivery as a way of winning share of wallet, and the importance of viewing fulfilment and delivery as part of the business rather than in isolation.
Meanwhile as it continues to expand its alternative vehicles fleet Deutsche Post DHL Group has announced a second site for production of its StreetScooter green logistics vehicles with plans to produce up to 10,000 vehicles from the site.
We are now less than 24 hours from the beginning of the eDelivery Conference which will be held in London tomorrow and so it seemed fitting for our final speaker interview to be with our chair for the conference, Peter Ward, chief executive of the UK Warehousing Association. Ahead of the event we caught up with him to find out why he thinks logistics is the new retail.
Of course, it’s not too late to book your place at the event so if you haven’t already registered follow the links in Peter’s interview to book. If you’ve already registered then hope you enjoy all that the conference brings and see you there tomorrow!
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