Chances are, most people think of consumers’ desire for convenience and digital technology as the two driving forces behind the rapid growth of the online retail sector. In fact, while this is half right, there’s something deeper at play here.
The online retail sector is encroaching further and further into the territory of bricks-and-mortar retail thanks to faster and cheaper deliveries which get all kinds of goods into consumers’ hands almost immediately – even fresh food and meals. As time goes on, there appears to be fewer and fewer reasons to hit the high street and more reasons to target online stores.
Plugging the gaps of inconvenience for online retail
The concept of online shopping is nothing new – but over the years, innovators have become intent on plugging the gaps of inconvenience that once differentiated online and in-store retail. This has included revolutionising courier solutions so consumers don’t wait for excessive amounts of time for their goods. And right now, the ‘click and collect” craze is descending upon us!
While getting goods to consumers quickly at the lowest cost (same-day deliveries) has played a major part in the growth of the online retail sector (especially for players in the fresh food industry), we must admit, superfast deliveries is not a “cure-all” to the question of convenience. And it certainly won’t put online retailing on a level playing field with bricks-and-mortar alone. Retailers know consumers aren’t always at home to accept deliveries, nor do they enjoy the trip to the post office to make return deliveries. Yes, that’s a major put off for online shoppers.
Click and collect: the perfect complement to same-day deliveries
That’s why click and collect services facilitated through conveniently located parcel lockers are taking off in a big way, and HUBBED is a great example. These services are the perfect complement to same-day deliveries because they enable online shoppers to pick up their parcels at a time that’s convenient to them. What’s more, they can be used as a receptacle for returns which means no more queuing at the post office for longer than it took to make the purchase!
So, will we soon see bricks-and-mortar stores throw their hands in the air and admit defeat? It seems not. They’re jumping on board with the click and collect craze too in an attempt to combine the benefits of online and in-store shopping. Now, that’s a whole new approach!