2020 has been an…unusual year
and it might be challenging
to get into the holiday spirit.
But the holidays ARE coming
and, for many businesses,
this is a key time
for sales.
The big value-add
this year?
I predict it will be
delivery or shipping.
My Mom is still
in self-imposed quarantine
due to COVID.
Many of my other loved ones
share that same state.
Any gifts I give them
will be delivered
by a third party
to their homes.
Does the delivery
have to be free?
Some people
hate paying extra
for delivery.
Free shipping
DOES make a difference.
“…retailers who always offer
free shipping
can directly increase revenue
by 10 percent.”
Free shipping isn’t,
of course,
truly free.
The shipping cost
is included
in the cost
of the goods purchased.
And there are usually
qualifications
to the free shipping.
The customer has to spend
a certain amount, for example.
They can’t ship
the product from the US
to Australia, as another example.
Free shipping makes a difference
in sales.
But having a reliable and timely
delivery option,
this holiday season,
will be much more important
than the cost of that delivery.
Customers won’t appreciate
that delivery was free
if the gift never arrives
or if the gift doesn’t arrive
on time.
Do you have a delivery option?