UPS has announced the launch of later pick-up times for customers in nearly 52,000 postal codes in Europe, with pick-up times extending to 8pm for some.
The company has also improved its UPS Standard service in London and areas of southeast England, reducing shipping times to one day. In-country transit times have also been reduced in nearly 8,000 postal codes across Europe.
“Flexibility is key for small businesses in Europe and they need to make sure that their customers get their orders when they need them,” said Lou Rivieccio, president, UPS Europe. “Extending our pick-up times by up to eight hours not only gives small businesses more production and order fulfilment time, but also allows them to focus on their passion and grow their business.”
The move comes after the 2017 UPS Europe Pulse of the Online Shopper study suggested that 52% of online shoppers in Europe will abandon their cart if they feel the delivery time is too long.
The move is part of a wider $2 billion investment by UPS in its European network and infrastructure through 2019. Recent investments as part of this programme include the announcement of a €130 million facility in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, the opening of a £120 million hub London, and the construction of a $100 million hub in Paris.
Image credit: UPS