Getting ready for the big day

Fastlane International has argued that – as “Christmas 2016 could be the first year of Christmas Day deliveries”- retailers need to develop their “radical” fulfilment plans now in order to meet growing public expectations. Fastlane International’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks, commented: “With the increased emphasis on same day delivery and multiple delivery choices; those retailers who still think it’s acceptable to say on 17 December, or even earlier, that orders might not arrive in time for Christmas look set to lose £1000s in sales. Customer expectation is growing, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see a service such as Amazon Prime Now actually delivering on Christmas Day.”

Jinks continued: “Fastlane has been warning for some time that deliveries will become as important as price in the battle to win customers and keep them loyal.

“This is why Amazon has invested so heavily in its Prime member delivery options, including its near-instant Now service: because it knows that its Prime members spend 68% more with Amazon than non-members. That’s customers already lost to other retailers next Christmas – unless their delivery options are made more attractive. It’s not such a leap to envisage Amazon delivering on Christmas day… albeit for a price!”