The recent USPS announcement to end Saturday delivery reminds us that things are constantly changing in the shipping world. TAGG’s big three shipping partners; FedEx, UPS and USPS are constantly offering new products and services, and our e-commerce order fulfillment clients need to stay aware of all the options to stay competitive. Understanding the alternatives and which option best fits each e-commerce site is an important service of your order fulfillment provider. We continue to see a big trend in hybrid shipping.
A hybrid approach combines the services of the big three – typically FedEx with USPS or UPS with USPS. For example, Mail Innovations (“MI”) can be a great alternative to First Class Mail. With MI, UPS picks up your package and delivers it to the USPS – near the destination Post Office. Then, the mailman makes the final mile delivery to your house. FedEx’s SmartPost is a similar service, only for larger shipments, and is a competitive alternative to Priority Mail.
These hybrid approaches are great options for e-commerce sites. At the shopping cart, give your customer the option for ‘free standard shipping’ and use one of these options. It’s a great way to get a competitive advantage in shipping.
