Agile, versatile, reliable:the advantages of working Introduction:Online delivery Delivery management is about much more than ensuring that theright goods reach the right customer on time, though that can be Done well, delivery management can make the differencebetween a poor one-off buyer experience and a life-long customer All of these things are constantly changing. So it is critical that aretailer’s delivery management platform is not only able to keep For many businesses, particularly those with an existing andcomplicated IT infrastructure, it can be tempting to think thatbuilding a bespoke delivery management tool is the most logical This guide explores some considerations for retailers andwarehouses when deciding whether to build a solution for The experience era Over the years, omnichannel retailers,ecommerce businesses and their warehouseand logistics partners have invested heavily in But what happens after the customer clicks“buy” often determines whether they will buyagain or go elsewhere. The manner, speed, and In 2022, 53% of consumers abandoned thepurchasing process due to excessively longshipping times1. Out of online shoppers, 85% say Ecommerce - and therefore demand for deliveries- is growing fast. One study from the WorldEconomic Forum estimates that global parcel For retailers to gain their share of this growingecommerce market, they will need the ability to Offering customers the best experience meanshaving the logistical infrastructure and transportcapability to deliver on commitments. In other The “beating heart” of ecommerce In their quest to win over customers andoutshine their competitors, retailers mustcontinually invest in all areas of their business, It is logical for them to opt to build certainsystems for themselves. This could be to savemoney. Or the business could conclude its Delivery management might seem like a primecandidate for in-house development: superficially,its function is merely to ensure that labels are Yet that overlooks the potential of how deliverymanagement can build and strengthen the Done right, deliveries can drive loyalty, increaserevenues, and unlock novel business models Here are six advantages that ready-built deliverymanagement solutions can have over internally 1 Delivery management’s ability to buildcustomer loyalty and reduce costs hinges ondeep connectivity with the carrier (or carriers)the retailer uses to deliver parcels. Those Providing the right range of delivery options canincrease conversions by 20%4as customers value Many systems - including in-house ones - dependon retailers building those connections bythemselves, or hiring an integrator to do so, and If their chosen carriers then extend their offer intonew areas – for example offering zero-emissionsdelivery vehicles, or PUDO (pick-up and drop-off Alternatively, managed carrier libraries automatethe carrier management process. If a retailerwishes to support a particular carrier or mode Harvey Nichols’ investment in nShift paysfor itself in less than six months Switching to nShift’s multicarrier shippingplatform helped instantly reduce costs andimprove the customer experience.“We haveseen substantial savings that wouldn’t have nShift has the world’s most extensive carrierlibrary, making it easy for its customers tointegrate their delivery management with more James Henry, Head of MultichannelOperations at Harvey Nichols Supporting the journey Deliveries make a significant contribution toretailers’ carbon footprints. Customers, andlegislators everywhere are pressuring them to Consumer awareness of climate issues hasgrown dramatically in recent times. Some 88%of shoppers expect brands to help them live Many businesses are used to hiring consultantsto compile detailed emissions reports on theirbehalf. However, using specialist emissions •offering and badging a range of lower •setting up different delivery options to triggercharitable donations – such as restoring By linking with delivery systems and carriers andcollecting data down to the level of individualshipments, the right tools can help retailers Increasing regulatory requirements Many retailers have been gathering emissionsdata and publishing environmental sustainability nShift is launching its emissions tracking serviceat the end of 2023. Retailers can register their In mid-2024, the EU’s Corporate SocialResponsibility Directive (CSRD) will come intoforce, requiring around 50,000 businesses “Having one system is of great benefit to us –and I think our customers are receiving a betterquality of service because of it. In particular, the That means retailers will need to be able to collatereports on their emissions, and verify their datais accurate. They will need to identify areas Andrew Baxter, CIO, Makita Oy The power of deliveryinnovation The onward march of customer expectationsdrives retail innovation. What may seem Customers expect a choice of delivery options,a slick, branded trackin