Topic of the Week - Yodel's New Collections Services for SMEs and Online Marketplace Sellers
Yodel, a leading UK independent parcel carrier, has recently launched two brand new collections services designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and online marketplace sellers. This move comes as Yodel has seen significant growth in its consumer-to-consumer (C2C) volumes, which have risen by 200% in the last two years.
According to research, over half (54%) of Brits aged 16+ are reselling items on online marketplaces, creating £7 billion in revenue a year. This growth in online marketplaces has led to an increase in demand for reliable and efficient delivery services. Yodel's new services aim to cater to this growing demand, providing bespoke and cost-effective delivery options to SMEs and microsellers alike.
The first service is a new account service specifically designed for SMEs that send over 50 parcels a week. This service offers a regular, booked collection time and access to Yodel's eRin client service platform. Customers will also have access to inflight options, allowing them to track their deliveries in real-time. Additionally, they will receive two-hour delivery windows and delivered images via the Yodel app.
The second service is a Door-to-Door service, available to customers sending fewer than 50 parcels a week. This service is designed for parcels up to 15kg and with maximum dimensions of 120x50x50cm. The two-day Door-to-Door service is fully tracked from collection to delivery, allowing customers to print labels from the comfort of their own home.
Yodel's new services are designed to cater to the growing needs of microsellers and small businesses, who are increasingly relying on online marketplaces to sell their products. These customers are likely to be tech-savvy and prefer to shop on their mobile phones, With 64.5% of eCommerce users in the UK preferring to shop on their mobile devices.
UK online shoppers prefer to read customer reviews before purchasing (62%), with others conducting internet research before clicking buy (58%). When buying online, card payments are the most popular payment method (52%), followed by online wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet etc (26%). The most popular products consist of Clothing (60%), Shoes (50%) and Bags/Accessories (48%).
Yodel's new collections services are a game-changer for SMEs and online marketplace sellers. With their flexible and cost-effective delivery options, businesses can scale their operations with confidence, knowing that their deliveries are in good hands. As the eCommerce market continues to grow, it's essential for businesses to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the changing needs of their customers. Yodel's new services are a step in the right direction, providing a reliable and efficient delivery solution for SMEs and microsellers alike.
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eCommerce Market Stats
See some statistics relating to this week’s topics in the eCommerce market below.
SME eCommerce stats
In 2023 there were approximately 5.55 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the United Kingdom.
Micro-sized enterprises that employ up to nine people make up the majority of SMEs in the UK at over 5.28 million.
Enterprises that have between 10 and 49 employees are classed as small enterprises, and numbered around 222,800 in the UK, while there were 36,900 medium-sized enterprises.
*Statistics sourced from Statista
That’s all for this week…
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