Speediest retail companies deliver orders in under 2 days

In the bustling world of retail, meeting customer demands has never been more crucial, especially during the holiday season. This year, top retailers have made significant strides in improving shipping speeds and streamlining Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) services.

According to a report by shipping carrier auditor LateShipments.com, the average shipping delay during the 2019 holiday season in some states could reach or exceed 16.5%. However, retailers have been working diligently to minimise these delays.

One major player that took action was Walmart, banning Amazon from using FedEx Ground for shipping Prime orders due to a decline in performance. Amazon, in response, banned third-party sellers from shipping Prime orders with FedEx Ground as well.

Despite these challenges, the top 10 retailers have managed to improve shipping speed by 18%, with orders now being fulfilled, on average, in 1.8 days - a significant improvement from last year's 2 days.

BOPIS, a service that requires customers to meet the retailer halfway to receive their purchase quickly, has also seen improvements. Eighty-five percent of BOPIS orders were fulfilled with no issues, compared to 65% in 2018. The average processing time for BOPIS orders was 2.5 hours, a decrease from 3.6 hours last year.

On Black Friday, 88% of BOPIS orders were processed on time, a marked improvement from 72% in 2018. Interestingly, 71% of shoppers prefer to go to the store rather than pay for expedited shipping for an immediate need.

BOPIS may encourage customers to make additional purchases during their visit, making it a potential win-win for retailers. Online shoppers, on average, are willing to wait an average of 3.1 days for an online order, compared to last year's average of 3.9 days.

However, BOPIS may not be a solution for all scenarios, as it still puts pressure on delivery. Inclement weather, congested urban areas, and rural areas are all factors that contribute to shipping delays during the holiday season.

Retailers have had to get more creative to meet increasing customer demands. In 2017, only 50% of retailers delivered an entire order within one week. This year, that number has improved to 64%.

In conclusion, while shipping delays during the holiday season continue to be a challenge, top retailers are making significant strides in improving shipping speeds and BOPIS efficiency. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these improvements shape the future of holiday shopping.