Courier Service - A Changing Landscape

THE YESTER-YEARS

Before 1900s

1900s

1918s - 1930s

1950s

1970 - 1990s

2000s

TODAY - 2016

FUTURE - 2016 and Beyond

Some common customers’ expectations from courier companies today

Same-day pickup and delivery

According to BI Intelligence, a research service from Business Insider as well as on Business Insider Singapore, 4 in 10 shoppers said they would use same-day delivery if they didn’t have enough time. The most common same-day delivery shopper fits a very specific profile — millennial, highly likely to be male, urban-dwelling, and young. The products people want delivered same-day are also fairly niche.

Clearly-defined delivery dates and timing

According to worldwide express freight company UPS, 50% of online shoppers abandoned their shopping carts because of long delivery lead times or when the retailer does not provide a clearly-defined delivery date and timing.

Speed, convenience and transparency

More consumers are turning to third-party delivery rather than going directly through a brand or retailer. Speed, convenience and transparency emerged as the top main factors which consumers are looking for when it comes to engaging a courier service. Delivery transparency in the form of location tracking, knowing the names and vehicle number of the couriers, as well as immediate recipient acknowledgement are highly favoured by today’s consumers. According to a survey by Scurri, 53% of shoppers expects delivery to be within 3 hours.

Pricing

According to a customer experience research done by Acquity Group of Accenture Digital, 64% of consumers said they are willing to pay a premium in exchange for faster delivery.What other expectations do you have as a consumer? 

What are some of your courier experiences? Share them with us in the comments section below!

Interesting scenes of courier services around the world

Most of us learnt and saw from the TV that pigeons, runners and men on horses were the most often used tools for delivering secret messages and packages. Whether it is 100 years ago or today, it wouldn’t be too exaggerating to say that we have become very dependent on courier services with all the convenient advantages they provide. And why of course, especially with the current online shopping craze that doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon! As courier services become increasingly common, competition also becomes inevitable. In its bid to win the hearts and support of consumers and its clientele, courier companies are coming up with new ways to please their customers!

Think you have seen it all? Here’s a sneak peak at the most interesting sights and courier methods deployed by courier service companies around the world!

#1 China

Piles of goods. Where time and balancing is everything.

Image Source: French photographer Alain Delorme https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71353975316329960/

#2 Australia

A carful of apples, anyone?

Image Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71353975316369526/

#3 New York City

Bike courier specialist who’s always ready to pick up and deliver your item throughout the nation at just a moment’s notice.

Image Source: http://www.buyafixie.com/04/new-show-about-messengers-on-travel-channel-triple-rush/

#4 United Kingdom

Sending a sofa to your new home? Give it to someone who’s driving that way. Check out Nimble, the “Airbnb” version of delivery!

Image Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/143411569360963030/

Have an interesting experience, story or picture of courier services somewhere in the world? Share them with us in the comments section below!