Many of the UK’s leading retailers are planning to launch same-day and two-hour delivery services in the next eighteen months in response to growing customer demand for shorter order-to-delivery cycle times, according to a survey of retailers by Manhattan Associates.
The survey of 65 supply chain and IT executives, found that 39 per cent of retailers planned to launch a same-day delivery service in the next 18 months while ten per cent intended to provide a two-hour service in the same time frame.
It also found that 23 per cent of respondents plan to launch click-collect services.
When questioned about supply chain priorities, multi-channel fulfilment ranked highest with 49 per cent of respondents listing it as the number one priority. Improving inventory management and improving customer service also showed up as key focus areas.
Craig Sears-Black, UK managing director of Manhattan Associates said: “We’re in the midst of a mini revolution in UK retailing which will affect the way it will be performed in the coming years. Beyond the type of products being sold, retailers are faced with a series of decisions that will determine their very survival.
“Which channels will they sell through? How will they manage their supply chains? How will they engage with customers? How will they ensure a consistent service experience at every touch point? The views of industry leaders within this poll show the most urgent areas for supply chain executive attention. Consumers are becoming more and more demanding in terms of how and when they want their orders delivered, so our role is to provide the tools for our retail customers to help them satisfy these requirements.”
