Almost half of shoppers (46%) said that the choice of a convenient and personalized delivery service is a key factor in the online buying decision stage (Sorted Survey).

So, if retailers aren’t offering flexible fulfillment to meet the needs of their consumers, shoppers may look elsewhere.

 

BENEFITS OF EFFICIENT ECOMMERCE/RETAIL DELIVERY

According to research by the Baymard Institute, high shipping fees account for 48% of abandoned shopping carts for online consumers, while 23% are put off by slow delivery times.

Offering affordable and quick delivery can give you the edge over your competitors, and really move the needle when it comes to conversions for your retail or ecommerce business.

Here are a few of the top reasons you might consider offering delivery to your customers: 

  1. Increased Sales: Convenience is king. A good delivery offering will attract more customers, make the decision to purchase much easier and potentially lead to bigger, repeat orders.
  2. Expand Your Reach: By casting a bigger net, you can attract customers from further afield. You’re no longer bound by geographical factors if you can bring your product to your customer’s door.
  3. Beat the Competition: You can differentiate yourself from your competitors by offering a better delivery service, or even just by offering delivery at all. Your potential customers are likely to be put off by things like hidden delivery costs or inconvenient store opening hours - these are all opportunities to get a competitive edge.
  4. Flexibility Drives Sales: That brings us nicely to the next benefit of offering customers a delivery service. Many of your customers work 9-5 Monday to Friday, making in-store visits difficult. If customers don't need to visit your store to buy from you, that's huge.
  5. Data Collection & Customer Insights: Delivery services provide valuable customer data on shopping habits, locations, and preferences, helping businesses optimise marketing and operations. Just make sure you and your staff stay compliant with data protection regulations.

 

TYPES OF DELIVERY SERVICE

Here are the most common delivery service options available for retail and e-commerce businesses: 

  • Standard Delivery: Cost-effective option with longer delivery windows, ideal for non-urgent orders.
  • Express & Same-Day Delivery: Premium service for quick fulfilment, appealing to customers who prioritise speed.
  • White Glove Delivery: Specialised service with bespoke handling, setup, and customer support, ideal for luxury or fragile items.
  • Last-Mile and Home Delivery: The final step of delivery, focused on speed, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, often using local couriers.
  • International & Cross-Border Shipping: Involves transporting goods from one country to another, requiring businesses to navigate customs, tariffs, and international regulations.

 

CHOICE MATTERS

Purely offering a wider selection of delivery options won’t necessarily ensure customer satisfaction. If customers do decide to purchase, but the delivery service isn’t convenient, it could still end up costing retailers. The same survey found 25% of all failed online deliveries were due to shoppers not being able to change their delivery options once an item had been shipped, showing the consequences of not offering convenience.

Convenience and flexibility hold a different meaning for each individual. Some consumers look for the cheapest option possible with no preference for when their goods are delivered, while others need it faster and are willing to pay for a more efficient service.

So, how can retailers be sure that they’re offering comprehensive fulfillment options that work for their customers?

Retailers need to select their delivery options with their customer’s lifestyle in mind. To demonstrate, we follow the online purchase journey of a large air hockey table as it travels from online checkout to its final mile.

 

WHAT YOUR CUSTOMERS WANT

Essentially, what customers want from a retail delivery service is flexibility and convenience. Due to the vast array of consumer demographics, it is essential to provide options that cater to a range of needs and clearly set the expectations for each order fulfillment option. Lack of communication could lead to consumer frustration and steer those would-be customers straight to your competitors.

 

HOW CAN SEKO HELP?

If you want to start offering speedy, reliable, affordable delivery options but don’t know where to start, look no further. SEKO’s award-winning ecommerce solutions are linked end-to-end, meaning you can ship directly from factory to consumer, outsourcing your entire delivery operation with absolute confidence. 

We operate all over the globe, so you can grow your order volumes into new markets, fulfil orders closer to your customers, and speed up the delivery process.

Learn more about how SEKO’s delivery solutions can help you supercharge your delivery offering, giving you a competitive edge.