Secaucus, N.J.

Just 3% of consumers want same-day delivery and delivery-to-home remains the preferred option despite self-service alternatives offered by suppliers

Marlow, 28th November 2019 - NetDespatch, the leading SaaS parcel data management platform for postal and parcel carriers, today released the results of its 2019 UK Delivery Report, based on a survey of 2013 UK adults who had received deliveries in the past six months.

The survey, carried out by independent research organisation Opinion Matters, examined consumer sentiment around parcel delivery choices, exploring what consumers want from a positive delivery experience and what suppliers actually deliver. It found that, while having a predicted delivery slot and timely order and delivery confirmation are important to UK consumers, just three per cent say that same-day delivery is a must-have, while almost half have no desire to use additional self-service options offered by retailers.

Key findings from the surveyed UK consumers include:

- Delivery speed - 3% of respondents said that they want same-day delivery, 29% say next day delivery is usually sufficient while 62% are happy with 2-5 day delivery stating it is usually ok

- 48% are not in favour of more self-service options

- 82% prefer goods to be delivered to their home address

- 41% will not order from a supplier that does not offer their preferred delivery option

- Half of respondents have no preferred carrier on the basis of delivery options. For 24%, Royal Mail is the carrier of choice

Same-day speed is not a delivery panacea
Commenting on the figures, Matthew Robertson, co-CEO of NetDespatch said: “The results expose the myth that consumers want ever-faster deliveries and multiple self-service delivery options. This should be a welcome reality check that what customers primarily want is to know that their order has been successfully taken and delivered, and when they can expect their parcel.”

Asked what makes a positive delivery experience, 96% of respondents said order confirmations were fairly or very important, 91% valued a predicted delivery window and 92% said delivery confirmations were fairly or very important.

Less value was placed on options such as in-flight redelivery, which 46% said was not at all or not very important to them. Similarly, 48% said they were not in favour of more self-service options, despite this having been an area of significant recent investment for retailers and carriers.

Home delivery remains the most popular option
82% of respondents prefer to have parcels delivered to their home address when delivering to their home. Delivery to the workplace is the preferred option for just 10% of respondents. 25% said they preferred having items delivered to a safe place, while 24% would rather have parcels delivered to neighbours.

Despite these preferences, respondents said that suppliers don’t always offer the basic delivery options they would like (59%) sited at least one preference which suppliers do not offer. This is a risk, as 41% said they will not order from a supplier that doesn’t give them the delivery options they prefer.

More than a quarter (26%) of respondents with a preference regarding delivery options when ordering goods to their home said suppliers didn’t offer convenient delivery at a time they would be at home. This was particularly a problem for those who work full time either at home or away from home, 29% of whom said this was their preferred option but was not always offered by suppliers. 10% said suppliers didn’t offer a ‘leave with a neighbour’ option, while 12% said some suppliers didn’t offer delivery to a nominated safe space.

When it comes to missed deliveries, 52% of respondents who had been not been at the delivery location then their delivery arrived said that carriers did not fulfil their preferred options for a missed delivery.

Matthew Robertson continued: “In the light of these consumer preferences the question is whether, by focusing obsessively on delivery speed and offering more and more out-of-home options, the industry is unnecessarily setting itself up to fail? Our survey indicates that UK consumers prefer straightforward delivery-to-home in a one to five-day timeframe at a time that suits them. They want an accurate service that tells them when to expect their delivery. They are not looking for alternative options such as parcel locker or in-boot delivery. These have become red herrings that distract from what the customer really wants from parcel delivery.”

Among the surveyed consumers, half had no preference for which carrier was used. Royal Mail was the most popular, chosen by 24% on the basis of its delivery options. DPD was next most popular, selected by just over 10%. No other carrier ranked higher than 8% with consumers. Matthew Robertson comments: “This general lack of carrier loyalty means there’s an opportunity for a carrier that really listens to customer preferences and offers them the delivery service they actually want to come in and make a name for themselves – no gimmicks, just good, predictable service.”

To obtain the full NetDespatch 2019 Delivery Report please email media contact: michael@c8consulting.co.uk

1st October 2019 - Global business and branding solutions provider, SML, has today announced the launch of its innovative EcoHanger™, which uses recycled chipboard, aiming to eliminate over 50% of plastic usage to meet the growing needs for sustainable retailing.

Over fifteen billion hangers are produced globally each year which typically end their lifespan at checkout and immediately sent to landfill as most traditional hangers cannot be recycled. However, as consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious and more willing to embrace sustainable solutions to reduce plastic waste, retailers and brands are exploring ways they can meet these needs.

SML’s EcoHanger™, with patents pending, is currently undergoing pilots with US retailers. The EcoHanger is comprised of a plastic hook made from commonly used material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Its shoulders are constructed from at least 60% recycled pulp fiber-based chipboard which can be easily attached to the plastic hook at the garment factory.

The plastic hook, produced in several global locations from a widely available material that can be locally sourced in almost any location, has been designed to be recirculated and reused throughout its lifespan - reducing the volume of hanger produced globally each year and decreasing overall costs, waste and plastic usage. The hook can be detached at checkout and processed for recirculation whilst the chipboard can be processed for recycling.

“Like all plastic waste, traditional hangers contribute significantly to the harmful chemicals that leach into our groundwater,” comments Eric Rhyner, VP of Print Packaging Solutions and Sustainability at SML Group. “SML recognizes the importance to change and improve processes and deliver sustainable solutions for retailers to reduce the impact that we are having on the planet.

Rhyner continues: “The development of our EcoHanger™ meets and exceeds retailer requirements in design, aesthetics, performance and innovation. With consumers and retailers becoming increasingly conscious of reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, there is a need to introduce options which are better for the environment, whilst optimizing how we operate”

SML’s EcoHanger™ is the latest product innovation in the EcoInspire™ collection, which was launched earlier this year with a goal to drive innovation and inspire retailers with ecologically sound solutions.

The EcoHanger has passed GS1’s test standards, and in many cases outperforms conventional, all plastic hangers. With the launch of EcoHanger, SML will continue to innovate by further extending its EcoInspire™ collection to provide more sustainable and environmentally-smart solutions.

Post and Parcel Expo (30th September - 3rd October 2019, Amsterdam, Netherlands) - BIXOLON Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of a global leading Mobile, Label and POS printer manufacturer will be showcasing its latest range of label printing technologies for the Postal and Parcel industry on stand no. 610, at Parcel + POST EXPO 2019.

Demonstrating the importance of identification and tracking labelling technology within the post and parcel industry, BIXOLON will be showcasing a range of labelling solutions including the NEW XT5-46 4-inch (114mm) industrial label printer supporting 600dpi print resolution to produce high volume, precise labels and barcodes. The NEW XD3-40d entry-level Direct Thermal label printer with accompanying key industry features. The BK3-31 3-inch (83mm) open frame label printing mechanism. The SLP-TX400R 4-inch (112mm) label barcode label printer with RFID data encoding functions. Alongside the NEW SPP-L410 4-inch (112mm) highly connective mobile label printer with a range of accessories.

BIXOLON will also be showcasing its highly anticipated range of printing supplies including B-Ribbon™, BIXOLON’s Wax, Wax Resin and Resin ribbons providing Thermal Transfer printed labels for a diverse range of applications. B-band™ a compact Thermal wristband printing solution available in B-band™ lux (Nylon material) or B-band™ flex (Polypropylene material) with anti-allergenic features. Plus, B-linerless™ Linerless Labelling solution, available in two adhesive strengths, B-linerless Permanent and B-linerless Re-stick.

“With a growing interest for its label printing technology within the postal industry, Post + Parcel Expo is the perfect platform for BIXOLON to showcase its latest range of innovative label printing solutions to the industry’s key players,” explains Charlie Kim, Managing Director BIXOLON Europe GmbH. “BIXOLON’s participation demonstrating its ongoing commitment to innovation within the ever-evolving market.”

To find out more, visit BIXOLON at www.BixolonEU.com or contact sales@Bixolon.de to make an appointment to meet the team.

Hong Kong, China, July 30, 2019 – SML, the leading global branding and item-level RFID solutions provider has today launched its new Inspire™ and EcoInspire™ brands. The Inspire™ will be rolled out across SML's innovative tagging products including woven labels, self-adhesive labels, hangtags and RFID-enabled tags, as well as be seen in SML’s packaging products. The brand will extend its product portfolio to elevate brand experiences for customers.

Always driven by the commitment to innovate and operate in a socially accountable manner, SML realizes the urge for retailers and brand owners to reduce its carbon footprint by sourcing and producing renewable and recycled materials with a positive environmental impact. The EcoInspire™ collection includes a broad spectrum of products using easily-recyclable materials that enhance product durability, longevity, functionality and allow for low-impact maintenance.

“Today’s consumers don’t just care about getting fit for purpose products. Instead they are becoming increasingly aware of how their lives and the products they purchase are impacting the environment. As customers become more and more environmentally conscious, it is up to the retail industry to deliver on the promise of sustainability,” said Gary Moskovciak, Senior VP of Americas at SML.

The Inspire™ brand is just one example of SML’s continuous innovation, which is at the core of its offering in the fast-moving retail market. The brand enables a collaborative and innovative spirit shared by both its customers and colleagues which will help inspire further product advancements.

Lesley Suen, Senior VP of Corporate Marketing adds: “The retail market is evolving like never before and that change drives us to innovate our products and services to greater serve customer needs. We are working relentlessly to transform our business into a one-stop tagging and packaging solution provider led by our item-level RFID technology. We recognize the need to share a new brand experience of our tagging business to our customers which are increasingly requiring higher standards of design and products, and the introduction of the Inspire™ brand will help us do this.”

EcoInspire™ uses environmentally-friendly sources in manufacturing including discarded plastic bottles, recycled polyester, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and organic cotton. In addition to sustainable sources, products are also designed with efficient product manufacturing processes that reduce waste, minimize resources and carbon footprint, resulting in compact, simplified products and packaging to maximize container storage and lower logistics costs. SML is not only reducing its environmental impact but also ensuring to operate in a more sustainable manner. With environmental issues constantly challenging the living conditions of every species, SML recognizes the critical need to address this topic through the products they produce and the way in which it conducts business.

Both the Inspire™ and EcoInspire™ range of products will be displayed in SML’s newly launched Retail Ideation Space (RIS) in Plano, Texas, and upcoming RIS sites including Shanghai, China and Corby, UK for customers to fully experience.

To find out more information or to arrange an appointment to visit the RIS, please visit: www.sml-rfid.com. 

RFID Solutions provider showcases technology innovations and convergence environment for retail market

12 June 2019: SML, the leading global item-level RFID solutions provider, has announced today the launch of its new Retail Ideation Space (RIS) in Plano, Texas. Accelerating market demands for Item-Level RFID and other advanced technologies that are driving a New Era in Retailing has created the need for a real-world collaboration space. Retailers can utilize the RIS to learn about and test some of the latest developments that are at the convergence of operations, inventory and customer service. 

The Plano facility houses the headquarters for SML’s RFID software solutions development and will also be the primary location for RFID solutions development. In addition, the center will also hold solution ‘Academy’ workshops to help retailers and brand owners work through the tailoring of technologies, processes and integrations required for scalable value-creating solutions. SML has evidenced that this collaborative approach to work through requirements, training and integrations can greatly speed up time to market and therefore maximize ROIs. 

The Plano Retail Ideation Space includes numerous item-level inventory management and customer experience technologies including SML’s extensive range of RFID-enabled Inspire® tags and its enterprise-grade Clarity® software solutions. The center will have thousands of tagged items for testing across a wide spectrum of distribution center and store use-cases. It also includes a Packaging & Trim Ideation Studio to support direct hands-on collaboration around the design options and tradeoffs of innovative packaging and trim offerings. 

According to Dean Frew, CTO and SVP of RFID Solutions at SML: “By deploying software solutions to thousands of retail stores and delivering billions of encoded RFID tags to retailers, we have learned that if we can assist in an agile engagement process with these retailers we can help them achieve ROIs faster and with less risk. In the RIS retailers will experience complete immersion in various technologies, directly aiding their digital transformation and will be able to accurately assess how adopting these technologies can be simply applied to their business.” 

The Ideation Space will include technology from SML’s world class partner ecosystem including Microsoft, Bluebird, Impinj, NXP, Zebra and others.

“Our team has worked closely with some of the largest most innovative retailers in the world to develop and deploy solutions that support remarkable ROIs. We are always innovating and will highlight and demonstrate our latest developments and test them with retailers across a spectrum of use cases in the RIS,” continues Dean Frew. 

In addition to this facility, SML plans to open two additional ideation spaces this year in the UK and in China to further support retail customers around the globe.