Web 3.0 is on its way, and London-based global courier Fastlane International predicts that, alongside ever-more sophisticated interactivity, extraordinary graphics and the move to intelligent mobile platforms; there‘s one other humble, behind-the-scenes area of the e-commerce revolution which looks set for further innovations in 2015. The internet retail delivery and international parcel market is poised for some significant developments next year, according to Fastlane, which will fuel further growth in e-commerce in 2015.
David Jinks, spokesperson for Fastlane International says:
“We are expecting 2015 to outperform even the technology-powered e-commerce revolution of 2014. Retailers have paid lip-service to the idea that the customer is king, or queen, for many years; but today they really are. No longer do companies decide how much stock might be available in any store, or how many days it might take to deliver. We were in a push-economy, with manufacturers and retailers calling the shots, now we‘re in a pull-economy: customers are in the driving seat, and are deciding exactly when and where they want their products. The good news is that research is showing delivery improvements could potentially boost online sales by $18bn”
Sunday deliveries will also become more widespread, as they have proved to be a hit with consumers. While there may be a question mark over harder to reach areas, city centre Sunday deliveries will become the ‘new normal‘.
Same day deliveries will expand rapidly. Consumers expect ever quicker deliveries and soon that will mean not only the same day, but an exact hour.
“Such is the appeal of “instant gratification” that people are prepared to pay handsomely for it,” Jinks commented. “If consumers want an item urgently enough, and are prepared to spend more, that need that will be met using a mix of improved ordering, picking and GPS technology. By next Christmas, we‘re predicting a number of retailers will be offering fast, time specific, same-day deliveries.”
Better signature proof systems will benefit retailers and customers. Increasing use of mobile devices with cameras to record exactly who accepted what parcel, and when, will lead to less lost and missing parcels, and fewer allegations against couriers. A win-win for consumers and delivery companies.
Electric and even hydrogen powered delivery vehicles will be an increasingly familiar site in our towns and cities as the effort to improve the air quality of our urban areas continues. Hydrogen vehicles are in their infancy, but already one company is trying out this even greener alternative to electric vans. Also, watch out for DHL‘s increasing use of pedal power, as cycles make a parcel comeback.
Unmanned drone deliveries may sound the stuff of science fiction, but online giant Amazon is getting tough in its belief that this is a practical technology. Recently, Amazon threatened the US Government that the internet giant will take the development of its R&D outside America if the US doesn‘t make some concessions to the developing technology. There‘s already one German island that is being served by drone delivery technology in a DHL experiment.
