Convenient delivery options are top of the list for leading retailers looking to improve the service they offer their customers. Here are some of the latest ways that IRUK Top500 retailers have acted to improve their fulfillment services – which are likely to have a knock-on effect on services across UK retailing.
Tesco: national same-day delivery
Tesco is taking its same-day grocery delivery service nationwide. The retailer will offer same-day delivery from 300 UK stores and says that will cover more than 99% of UK households, from the Shetland Islands to Cornwall. Shoppers order by 1pm to take delivery by 7pm, and the service costs between £3 and £8 – although for a limited time it’s free to members of its Delivery Saver online delivery membership scheme.
The expansion comes as Tesco has already seen an 18% growth in demand for the service so far this year. Its Same Day Click+Collect service is also available from 300 supermarket branches. Adrian Letts, managing director of Tesco Online said, at the time of the launch last week: “Customers tell us they like getting their shopping delivery quickly and conveniently, and with our same-day delivery service they can now order by lunch to get their shopping delivered for their evening meal.”
Our view: This service means Tesco now outperforms rival Amazon on grocery deliveries since it offers same-day delivery and collection across a much wider geographic area of the country, thanks to its
Amazon: centralising deliveries
Amazon , meanwhile, has launched the Amazon Hub, enabling deliveries to apartment buildings to be made by any carrier. As reported on our Tamebay sister site, the hub is essentially a locker for residential buildings where any carrier can leave deliveries for residents. Such locker solutions are already available in the UK, but this innovation, which starts life in Amazon’s US market, stands out because it’s run by a retailer but is open to parcels from other retailers. Amazon’s promotional video describes the system as: “Your fast and easy way to receive packages from any sender.” It also emphasises the convenience of the locker system as being “open to anyone, at any time”.
Our view: Locker banks and centralised click and collect are not new – but this system is different in that it will get Amazon’s brand before shoppers wherever they buy from. That makes marketing as well as logistical sense for the retailer.
