The popularity of online shopping has increased in recent years, especially with the British being shopping mad. 2018 was a record year for online retail sales in our nation, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Record proportions were noticeable for online spending as this form of purchasing increased to 18.2% by August 2018.
So, what’s the explanation behind the rise of online shopping? Let’s look at the role deliveries are having in industries.
The food sector
By 2023, the UK food and grocery market is forecasted to have grown 14.8%. It’s expected that online is going to remain as the fastest growing channel and with supermarkets currently worth £89.1 billion, they’re predicted to grow 7.7% in the next four years, while discount stores, such as Aldi and Lidl, are expected to have an increase in value by 36.7%.
In order for established supermarkets to improve their online experience for customers, the use of web analytics is increasing and online sales are set to increase by 52% by 2023. Web analytics While click and collect services are one way growth will be aided, there is a great emphasis on delivery time and cost. Nowadays, it’s possible to choose your time slot so that you can collect your goods at a time that suits you.
Director of Insight at IDG, Simon Wainwright, said: “Growth is increasingly being driven by recent entrants to the channel and more delivery options. But we’re seeing more ambition from the Big Four as well, making ordering easier, improving picking, new capacity and faster deliveries. Analytics are also being utilised more effectively to target customers with more personalised content. Rising customer service expectations are encouraging the development of more rapid delivery services and other technological responses such as unattended delivery solutions.”
The clothing sector
There was a time back in 2012 where people were willing to wait 5 and a half days for the outfit they ordered to arrive if they were given free delivery. Fast forward to 2019 and now the expectancy has dropped by a day, meaning those who don’t offer a quick free delivery service may find themselves falling behind their competitors. The saturated market is even making next-day delivery the ‘new norm’.
It’s projected that the online fashion industry will be worth almost £29 billion by 2022 as online shopping continues to grow in this sector. This means that there’ll be much more need for deliveries. Three quarters of online fashion shoppers stated an interest in delivery options.
The Senior Fashion Analyst at Mintel, Tamara Sender, said: “As consumers have become more accustomed to shopping for fashion online, their expectations have been raised and retailers will have to invest more in the online shopping experience to drive sales. Delivery is becoming a key online battleground and the use of delivery passes and more dynamic delivery options could increase loyalty towards a specific retailer.”
Film and TV sector
With thanks to delivery services, the entertainment industry is booming. While you can stream your favourite TV shows on the likes of Netflix, many people still like to have a hard copy of their favourite big-screen showing. Therefore, the likes of Amazon, who offer same-day delivery, are giving the public a service they desire. And it’s not just the speedy service on offer that is impressive. Amazon announced that if you have a certain car in some locations, they’ll even deliver your parcel to the boot of your own vehicle. This in-car delivery service allows consumers to relax and not worry about missing a parcel — something that affects two thirds of online shoppers.
Regardless of what sector it is, it seems online shopping is on the rise, as is the demand for delivery drivers. Therefore, the rise in deliveries isn’t just affecting industries, but also jobs. Lookers, suppliers of the VW Transporter, offer award winning commercial vehicles themselves since transporting items is an ever growing need. With demand there must be supply, leading to opportunities for a career change too. Could a career in deliveries be for you?
