Convenience and Soft Pants: How Retail Industry Trends Impact Shippers and Carriers
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image description: a shop door with an “open” sign
We all have our gifts in life. Some of us made friends easily and got invited to parties, and some of us got really good at spotting trends in the retail industry. Fortunately, those of us who fall into the second category are here to help shippers and carriers keep up with changing demands. If you ship or haul freight, here are some ways that the retail landscape can impact you.
Retail Looks Different When You Don’t Have to Leave Your House
image description: a woman sits on her couch with a laptop
The introverts are playing the long game on this one. It starts with home delivery and ends with them taking over the world, we assume. Fine with us. A large percentage of us are introverts anyway, and the world domination plan probably includes a lot of soft pants.
One of the biggest retail trends is an increase in home delivery. This trend started growing long before the pandemic, but COVID-19 took it up several notches. Obviously, this had a major impact on both shippers and carriers.
Online Shopping and Its Impact on Shippers
Shippers have seen a lot of changes thanks to home delivery. For one thing, shipping volumes changed. For many, those volumes increased. Home delivery often creates a bigger need for shipping, thanks to convenience and impulse buying. It’s a lot easier to order something online than it is to go to the store.
Shippers have also had to adapt to more diverse shipping requirements. Many companies now offer same-day shipping, 24-hour shipping, and similar options. These days, consumers want their soft pants delivered as soon as possible. For shippers who want to offer these options, this means forging new relationships with carriers who can handle the job.
All of these changes also create complex inventory management and customer service needs.
Online Shopping and Its Impact on Carriers
The increased demand also impacts carriers in a big way. Some carriers have expanded their fleet to keep up with client expectations, for instance.
Their route optimization needs have also changed. For example, pickup and dropoff locations may have moved to different places, accommodating new shipping habits.
The Physical Retail Landscape is Changing
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Of course, humans are still social creatures. Sometimes, we change into real pants and leave the house by choice. When we do, we may go to stores that look a bit different from the way they used to look.
Have you been to your nearest mall or shopping center recently? You may have noticed that several have closed down. When malls do stay open, they tend to have a lot of higher-end stores. Since people can have physical products delivered to their homes, some places have kept their doors open by providing more than products; They provide a certain atmosphere and experience that keeps consumers coming back.
Luxury Stores and Their Impact on Shippers
Luxury stores often have specific requirements for shippers, since products may need to look different. For instance, perfume bottles may need a fancier or more unique look. These products usually need more care during the shipping process, so shippers will have to find carriers that can offer it.
Thanks to the increased value of shipments, the importance of reputation management, and plenty of other factors, shippers may also have more collaboration with retailers to make sure that everything runs smoothly.
Luxury Stores and Their Impact on Carriers
Of course, these same trends impact carriers, too. They may find themselves shipping more high-end products, which means taking more precautions. Like shippers, carriers also have to stay on top of their reputation management, and they may have to work more closely with shippers than ever before to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
Convenience vs Sustainability
image description: hands holding a small plant
Now that retail has become more convenient, there’s an ongoing discussion about sustainability. It’s a balancing act, especially because many consumers care about both. Shippers and carriers have become a big part of that balancing act.
Some shippers keep this balance through a series of changes. They might take a second look at their packaging options, for instance, or look for carriers that prioritize sustainability.
Carriers may prioritize sustainability by optimizing their routes and investing in more sustainable vehicles.
These changes can impact costs for both parties. On the one hand, shippers and carriers may experience long-term savings, especially through route optimization. On the other hand, they may face bigger costs upfront. This means that they’ll have to find some short-term savings options.
A Personalized Experience Thanks to Robots
image description: five toy robots standing in a row
Yes, AI is involved in shopping, too. Of course it is. And in case any of the robots are listening, let the record show that we support it, okay robots? Remember our kindness when you become our overlords.
For now, ironically, AI is being used to personalize the shopping experience. For example, if you order six pairs of soft pants, you’re probably not going to see a lot of ads for party supplies.
How AI Impacts Shippers
AI impacts shippers in a lot of the same ways that home delivery does. In fact, home delivery and personalized shopping go hand in hand.
When the shopping experience became more personalized, so did the shipping experience. Now, shipping options range from same-day delivery to “no rush” delivery and everything in between. Shippers have adjusted their delivery practices to accommodate these options.
How AI Impacts Carriers
Personalized shopping often means more deliveries. Again, people are encouraged to make many small deliveries instead of a few large ones. This impacts both the type and the amount of cargo that a lot of carriers haul. We’re out of jokes about shipping soft pants, so let’s say that you might be shipping more movie snacks.
Freight Brokers Can Help You Keep Up
The retail landscape is always changing. While we wait to see if the introverts or the robots take over the world first, freight brokers can help you keep up with these changes.
Freight brokers like Pearce Worldwide can help you access shipping opportunities, no matter how the retail landscape changes.
For shippers, this means easily finding carriers who can fit your needs. For example, if you need somebody who can handle large shipping volumes, we can connect you to the perfect carrier for the job.
For carriers, this means more opportunity to access the freight, including specialized or seasonal items. At times when loads are harder to find, freight brokers can help you keep your trucks full.
As trends change, you’ll want to save as much time and effort as possible. At Pearce Worldwide, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us today to learn more.
