According to a recent report by nShift, a provider of delivery management solutions, online retailers who rely on just a single carrier or a limited number of carriers risk losing customers and sales.

The report, titled ‘Creating customer choice and unlocking efficiencies: the power of multi-carrier delivery management,’ highlights the importance of offering a variety of delivery options at checkout. 

Research shows that approximately 70% of online shoppers consider a choice of delivery methods to be a key factor in their buying decision.

nShift's report outlines several key advantages for retailers who embrace a multi-carrier approach:

Increased conversions: Customers have diverse needs. Some prioritise fast delivery while others may be more concerned about price or convenience.

By offering a range of options such as express delivery, standard shipping, or pick-up at designated locations, retailers cater to a wider audience and are more likely to close the sale.

Enhanced delivery capacity: Partnering with multiple carriers allows retailers to adapt to changing customer behaviour and handle peak season surges more effectively.

Improved delivery performance: Working with a variety of carriers enables retailers to compare on-time delivery rates and overall service quality. This data can then be used to negotiate better rates and select the most reliable partners for their customers.

Global expansion: Reaching international markets requires partnerships with carriers that have a presence in those regions. 

A multi-carrier strategy allows retailers to offer a wider selection of delivery options in each market, further enhancing customer satisfaction.

Brand building and customer engagement: By managing customer communications directly, retailers can leverage delivery notifications to promote additional products and strengthen brand loyalty.

nShift said its delivery & experience management (DMXM) suite offers a comprehensive solution for managing deliveries across multiple carriers.

The platform provides access to over 1,000 carrier connections and integrates with more than one million pick-up/drop-off locations globally.

Additionally, nShift automates carrier selection, label printing, and other logistical tasks, streamlining the delivery process for retailers.

By adopting a multi-carrier strategy and leveraging solutions such as nShift's DMXM suite, online retailers can significantly improve their delivery experience, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and sales.