The summer heatwave prompted a boom in delivery volumes for July, according to the latest figures from IMRG MetaPack UK Delivery Index.
IMRG said that growth normally plateaus in the summer since many people head off abroad for holidays. However, whether because of staying at home or perhaps more likely consumers simply not wanting to visit the shops during the hot weather, the delivery index actually rose 2.6% month on month on July.
The average order value was also up, rising 4.6% on July last year.
It seems that patience is still in short supply however with the use of specified and next-day services at an all-time high during the month. They accounted for 36.5% of all online orders.
However on-time deliveries are still at 90%, below that of previous years. In 2016 for example retailers and carriers were maintaining an average on-time delivery success rate of 94%.
Andrew Starkey, head of e-Logistics at IMRG, said that 2018 continues to be a solid year for online delivery growth. However he said that on-time rates need to be tackled. “With European shoppers apparently taking advantage of the strength of the euro against sterling, and UK shoppers wanting to make the most of the hot summer, it’s only the on-time delivery rate that remains a concern over the coming months as we approach the peak shopping season.”
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