Same-day delivery and next-day delivery are part of our Cleveland 3PL wheelhouse. These services keep customers happy, but they have become especially important in the midst of a dramatic shift toward e-commerce this year.

As TechCrunch recently reported, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift away from physical stores and pushed the e-commerce ahead by a full five years. This change has been on the horizon for years, but e-commerce is projected to grow by a stunning 20 percent in 2020.

This latest report, IBM’s U.S. Retail Index, reveals what our Cleveland 3PL has been preaching for years: Retailers, manufacturers and business-to-business operators are going to need to pivot more quickly multiple outlet fulfillment capabilities if they want to stay competitive. This means prioritizing same-day delivery and next-day delivery services.

Companies increasingly need to compete on more than just product price and quality. They need to get orders out fast. Problem is, many businesses don’t have the resources necessary to create this kind of streamlined service, and same-day delivery has plenty of challenges. The good news is that if you work with a dedicated third-party logistics provider that already has trucking and warehousing capabilities, you get access to the space, the fleet, the labor and the systems already in place.

Challenges of Same-Day Delivery & Next-Day Delivery

Implementing same-day delivery and next-day delivery on your own can be a huge undertaking. But with these services in such high demand, many businesses can’t afford not to figure out a solution. This is where working with an established local 3PL can make a huge difference.

Some of the same-day delivery challenges we can help you overcome include:

• Logistics. If logistics aren’t handled properly, same-day delivery can be full of headaches. You need to make sure you have either enough stores and warehouses in a delivery area OR that you’re working with a 3PL who has the scalable capacity you need to effectively offer the service. If you’re trying to do it on your own, how are you going to modify your existing processes to help you accommodate same-day delivery? How are you going to make certain each fulfillment site has the correct products stocked? The answers will vary from business-to-business, but our team will work with you to map out a same-day and next-day delivery service strategy. We’ll look at which products are most likely to be rush-shipped, review digital inventory options and establish quick pick-and-pack procedures.
• Expense. Same-day delivery services aren’t cheap for the company, especially if they’re poorly implemented. They can still be worth pursuing, but you want to be confident that you aren’t going to lose money by offering it. After all, the idea is to stay competitive. Our 3PL team works to reduce costs by streamlining certain elements of the same-day delivery process. That may involve “batching” some orders so there aren’t constant low-volume shipments being moved. We also help our customers work out less-than-truckload shipping with other customers, so they aren’t bearing the entire cost burden of those trucking trips.
• Labor. Same-day delivery requires a workforce to carry it out. If you take on same-day delivery on your own, you need to either hire new people or lean on your existing workers. Either way, that could be a lot to work out, especially if order numbers vary from day-to-day, season-to-season. At On Time Delivery & Warehouse, we already have dedicated warehouse, trucking and logistics employees available to step in and do the job – trained and ready to go.
• Timeliness. When it comes to same-day deliveries, timing is everything. Your customers want to know when the orders are coming, and the ability to track them if possible. If you can’t ensure that your same-day and next-day delivery orders are going to make it to their destination – intact, on time, every time – it’s a smart idea to consider working with a 3PL.

The bottom line is same-day delivery and next-day delivery services are increasingly must-offer services, but doing it effectively is critical. After all, your reputation is on the line. We have a full fleet, warehouse and workers and team with companies of all sizes to facilitate long-haul and local deliveries – where you need them, when you need them.

If you have questions about Cleveland 3PL and trucking company services, contact On Time Delivery & Warehouse by calling (440) 826-4630 or sending us an email.

Additional Resources:

COVID-19 pandemic accelerated shift to e-commerce by 5 years, new report says, Aug. 24, 2020, By Sarah Perez, Tech Crunch

More Blog Entries:

Improved Cleveland Trucking Safety Helps Protect Shippers From Liability, Sept. 15, 2020, Cleveland Same-Day Trucking Service Blog