'Delivered Tonight' program aims to speed up e-commerce
Many companies use direct mail as their preferred avenue to contact clients and consumers. This method of outreach works best in concert with address validation technology, which ensures deliveries will not be impeded by errors in contact information. Speed of service is consistently a premium for companies looking to provide consumers with any information, product or service that is requested.
Businesses and consumers in Canada may soon be able to benefit from Canada Post's most recent initiative aimed at increasing the pace at which customers in the country receive merchandise they order through e-commerce channels.
More specifically, residents and companies within the greater Toronto area will be part of the 'Delivered Tonight' test program, which has the lofty goal of delivering goods through the mail service in the same day the order is made. The pilot program is currently limited to the retail chains Best Buy, Future Shop, Indigo and Wal-Mart. According to Internet Retailer Magazine, Canada Post is not the first business to attempt to improve its rate of delivery. Both Amazon and Google have tested programs on the West Coast of the U.S.
According to recent Forrester Research data, the Canadian e-commerce industry is projected to quickly expand from US$20 billion in 2013 to US$32 billion by 2018. This information signals a rapid expansion of online purchasing, and Canada Post is looking to stay ahead of the curve. The postal service explained the pilot program will also allow it to learn how to handle the logistics of the project. As in many metropolitan areas, an increased number of vehicles during peak travel times can significantly limit retailers' ability to guarantee same-day delivery.
Meanwhile, companies that use Canada Post to deliver marketing materials should integrate address verification software to make sure their customers receive necessary information.