Even As Prices Rise, Savvy Shoppers Can Find Shipping Value 

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Even As Prices Rise, Savvy Shoppers Can Find Shipping Value 

The pandemic permanently changed how consumers need to consider shipping. As USA Today notes, USPS delivery has changed to become permanently slower and permanently more expensive in response to the pressures placed on the US shipping service. Despite this wholesale shift in how US internal market shipping works, there is value to be found. While prices may have increased, the focus on the customer has, too, and the bang for buck that businesses can deliver from shipping charges is getting better every month. 

Convenience first 

What consumers expect when it comes to shipping has changed. McKinsey research confirms this, highlighting that 90% of American consumers demand 2 to 3 days delivery turnarounds as standard. With this as the standard, shipping operators are looking to create value and beat out competition and take their share of the market through making it even faster. Overnight regional shipping is becoming far more commonplace and less specialized than in the past, and that’s good news for businesses looking to deliver a good service. 

Better protection 

With the huge surge in online shipping has come a surge in porch piracy. This distressing and demoralizing crime is now at such a level that the authorities are taking note. Savannah Now reports that Georgia is putting in specific laws to combat porch pirates, and shipping companies are looking at ways to make their parcels more secure. Once again, this is where cost benefits are coming in – porch piracy was a thing before the cost increases, after all, but little was done about it. 

Think sustainability 

Consumers are increasingly green-focused. Statistics analyzed by Retail-Focus show that 61% of consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products, and the current shipping ecosystem provides exactly that. A focus has shifted from marine and air shipping to fast, internal systems, and this can be provided on electric vehicles or, at the very least, a lower gas consumption than larger vehicles like planes and ships. Offering a green alternative in shipping will help to boost sales. 

 Shipping is more expensive, but it’s not all bad. With the increase in price has come an increase in competition, and that’s driving up quality. There are a myriad of new features your business can deploy to win customers and keep them loyal to your brand, and that’s good news for your future growth.