Consignia leads trials into new delivery solutions for home shoppers
Consignia is exploring the potential of new-style deliveries which mean people do not have to be at home to receive goods ordered from catalogues or via the internet.
The organisation has linked up with five providers of drop box systems to test consumer demand and the ways in which they work. Around two dozen retailers are also involved, including Oddbins, Sainsbury, Tesco, Taste for Wine and Penny Plain, the women's fashion mail order company.
It is the latest initiative in Consignia's drive to resolve last mile delivery issues and unlock one of the accepted barriers to even more rapid growth in the home shopping market.
David Taylor, Consignia's Managing Director for home shopping, said: "As the leading home delivery company in the UK, Consignia is the common link between retailers, consumers and the drop box system providers and is uniquely placed to lead the way in solving the challenges of home shopping fulfilment."
The trial comes just two months after the launch of Consignia's Local Collect service, which allows people to have their goods delivered to their local Post Office branch if they are not at home to receive a delivery. This followed the roll out last year, by Parcelforce Worldwide, of time-window deliveries to 9pm to meet growing consumer demands.
Mr Taylor said: "We have tackled head on the 'last mile' issues to ensure home shoppers have a range of options for convenient delivery of goods.
"The Local Collect service is a real driver for the market, but we are continuing to ensure we look at all the different delivery options available. This forward thinking approach really does cement Consignia's place at the forefront of the home shopping market."
He added: "During the experiment, Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide will be able to deliver parcels and packages to participating consumers who will see the benefit of receiving their goods even if they are not at home."
The home shopping market is set to grow to £20 billion in 2004, compared to £10 billion last year. But the marketplace accepts that a range of delivery options to meet people's changing lifestyles is essential if the market is to accelerate to predicted levels.
Consignia is working closely with systems providers BearBox, ByBox, HDA Delivery Point, Homeport and Secure Storage Solutions (3S). A sample size of around 200 consumers is involved in the trials with four of the providers although the ByBox system will be located in public areas and could potentially involve as many as 1,000 customers.
Trial Areas Postcodes System
London SW6, SW11 & SW15 BearBox
London KT3 & KT4 Homeport
Birmingham B92 & B93 Delivery Point
Bristol BS30, BS35 & B36 3S
Manchester,
Oxford and
Milton Keynes Locations to be
confirmed ByBox
The system format varies according to provider, ranging from an external box attached to the side of a house with a simple battery operated keypad, through to coded access to a secure area i.e. a shed or garage. Enhanced functions on some systems offer a text messaging service to mobile phones and e-mails alerting customers to deliveries. Another option is a bank of locker style boxes which can be situated in public areas allowing 24 hour access in some cases.
The customer will agree a description of the location of their box with their system supplier. They will also be provided with an access code to open the box depending on which system is used. The delivery driver will be given a label with a set of instructions and, if necessary, an access code to access the system. Some providers will also allow customers to use the system for returns.
www.consignia.com
