Amazon Shipping BLOG
Understanding consumer shipping preferences: How flexible e-commerce shipping options can set your brand apart
As e-commerce sales continue to soar, meeting customer expectations for fast, flexible, and reliable shipping is an essential part of customer satisfaction and success.
Last year, more than three-quarters of internet users in Europe bought something online, and European e-commerce sales reached €975 billion, an 8% increase from the previous year, as shoppers seek out the convenience and flexibility it offers.
As e-commerce sales have increased, the delivery experience has evolved, and so have consumer expectations. In fact, nearly half of consumers said a retailer’s choice of delivery provider influences where they choose to shop. Shipping can make or break the entire shopping experience, so it’s a great opportunity to stand out from the competition by providing a superior service to your customers. One way to do this is by offering flexible e-commerce shipping options.
As e-commerce sales have increased, the delivery experience has evolved, and so have consumer expectations. In fact, nearly half of consumers said a retailer’s choice of delivery provider influences where they choose to shop. Shipping can make or break the entire shopping experience, so it’s a great opportunity to stand out from the competition by providing a superior service to your customers. One way to do this is by offering flexible e-commerce shipping options.
Giving customers choice
Research shows that 55% of retailers said that meeting their online delivery promise boosts customer loyalty rates, while 51% said it’s vital for increasing positive reviews that drive additional business. Despite the importance, only a quarter of retailers are sure they met their delivery promise in the last 12 months.
As a retailer, it’s important for you to know what your customers want from their e-commerce shipping and to keep your promises. For most, it comes down to reliability, speed, and convenience, but choice and flexibility are increasingly important too. By offering your customers a range of shipping options, you empower them to select the delivery preferences that best fit their lifestyle and needs.
Creating an e-commerce shipping strategy can help you to identify your delivery priorities and where you can offer your customers more choice.
As a retailer, it’s important for you to know what your customers want from their e-commerce shipping and to keep your promises. For most, it comes down to reliability, speed, and convenience, but choice and flexibility are increasingly important too. By offering your customers a range of shipping options, you empower them to select the delivery preferences that best fit their lifestyle and needs.
Creating an e-commerce shipping strategy can help you to identify your delivery priorities and where you can offer your customers more choice.
Establishing an e-commerce delivery strategy
E-commerce shipping is too important to leave to chance, so shippers need a well-thought-out e-commerce delivery strategy. Key components include:
1. Speed
Customer expectations for swift deliveries are higher than ever, and shippers need to offer speeds that will help win and impress shoppers. Standard speeds include a faster speed option such as Next-Day, a Two-Day speed, and Three- to-Five-Day option. Nearly half of consumers value a choice of speeds. While 63% of consumers preferred next-day or quicker shipping during peak shopping periods, there may also be opportunities to offer slower shipping for a discounted price, with the demand for 3–5-day delivery increasing by 7% since 2021.
2. Consumer choice
Shoppers want choices not only when it comes to speed but also in where their parcels get delivered. Most shoppers have packages shipped to their homes, but there is also increased demand for out-of-home delivery options, such as delivery to counter.
3. Cost management
Shipping costs can be a significant expense. Retailers and e-commerce sellers are balancing speed, customer satisfaction, and costs, which is where flexible options can come in handy.
4. Reliable delivery service providers
A parcel delivery provider that delivers a fast and dependable shipping experience is one of the most critical players in an e-commerce retailer's success. Seek a delivery service provider that is able to offer flexible delivery options, and the capacity to handle varying levels of demand.
5. Tracking and transparency
Tracking helps build trust and bolster consumer confidence. Tracking features such as adding safe place options or diverting the delivery if customers aren’t going to be home, are crucial to offering customers more flexibility.
By providing your customers with a range of flexible shipping options, you can enhance their overall satisfaction and set your brand apart from the competition.
Ship with us
At Amazon Shipping, we provide parcel delivery your customers already trust, with reliable, fast, and competitively priced parcel delivery solutions for retailers and e-commerce sellers. We can handle orders placed on your website, on Amazon, or through other online selling platforms. You can access our bespoke and competitive rates here.
Want to send parcels with Amazon Shipping in the UK?
Get in touch to start your journey today.
© 1996-2024, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved.