Here’s more proof, if any were needed, that the key ecommerce battleground for Christmas 2013 will be delivery. Amazon will be delivering to addresses in London on Sundays, starting later this month.
Amazon branded vehicles will be making Sunday deliveries to Amazon Prime customers in London this November and December. According to Dave Clark, VP of Amazon’s worldwide operations: “If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order a backpack for your child on Friday and be packing it for them Sunday night. We’re excited that now every day is an Amazon delivery day and we know our Prime members, who voraciously shop on Amazon, will love the additional convenience they will experience as part of this new service.”
Tamebay reckons about 15-20% of UK Amazon sales are made through Prime. It’s one of the benefits of the Fulfilment by Amazon service (FBA), that third party goods are held and despatched by Amazon itself and available to Amazon’s most committed buyers within two days of ordering.
In the States, Amazon will also be pioneering Sunday services as part of drive to deliver goods to customers much more swiftly.
Fulfillment is something that eBay is not well placed to compete with Amazon on. Whilst eBay is making small forays with key retailers in London and eBay Now, as well as trialing Click & Collect with Argos, it just doesn’t have the infrastructure to take on Amazon. The Seattle-based company comes replete with massive bargaining power it can flex with carriers, remains in charge of the fulfillment process, is the owner of a massive network of warehouses and has fast become a delivery expert.
The other key battleground for Christmas 2013 is mobile. And eBay is doing well there. But this is the heady new world of ecommerce. Next day is expected, same-day may well become normal in metropolitan areas and even within-the-hour for the right purchases will be available increasingly.
Once again, Amazon is leading the way in meeting and exceeding the expectations of online buyers when it comes to delivery.
