CitySprint launches B2C service offering one-hour delivery window

UK same day delivery firm CitySprint has launched a new business-to-consumer service offering recipients specific one-hour delivery windows. The new “On the Dot” service is being launched in London ahead of a wider roll-out across the country, targeting e-commerce customers as well as brick-and-mortar retailers.

CitySprint said it will allow small and independent retailers to offer delivery features that might otherwise only be available to larger retailers.

The new service will soon be able to integrate directly into e-commerce websites to provide home delivery for online purchases.

But, CitySprint said it will also allow shoppers to “Click and Collect” orders from physical store branches, or shop from electronic point of sales kiosks in-store and collect items at a later time.

The company said the new service will mean consumers do not have to waste time waiting around for purchases to be delivered. On the Dot will provide text message or email updates on deliveries, and live GPS tracking of parcels.

CitySprint said if it misses a delivery window, the consumer will have their next delivery provided free-of-charge.

“Most important”

Patrick Gallagher, the CitySprint chief executive, said consumer convenience was the “most important consideration” in online retail.

“On the dot helps consumers build a unique retail experience around their own needs and gives retailers an opportunity to offer the ultimate convenience to their customers,” he said.

“According to IMRG, online delivery failure is expected to have cost retailers, carriers and consumers £473m in 2014 and retailers are risking considerable brand damage. On the dot allows retailers to protect their reputation and build customer loyalty by giving customers time to focus on the things that really matter to them.”

CitySprint has a network of 40 service centres across the UK, and a fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles.

The new “On the dot” service will compete against the increasing number of UK parcel carriers who are offering narrower and narrower delivery windows, since DPD launched its successful Predict service, offering one-hour delivery windows, back in 2010.

A survey by Ipsos Research on behalf of Honeywell, published back in April (2015), found that the majority of UK shoppers now see a three-hour delivery window as a standard expectation. The poll of 800 adults carried out in the summer of 2014 saw 40% stating that they would pay extra for “perfect” delivery.