Growing Opportunities For Courier Drivers In The Online Shop

There’s little doubt that it is an exciting time for anyone working in the delivery industry, with an ever-increasing number of opportunities forcourier jobsthanks to thriving online consumerism. Online purchases are on the rise, which means that an increasing number of customers need delivery services and there areplenty of waysto get involved and ensure you take full advantage of allthose prospective courier jobs out there.

Online Purchases Continue to Increase

In a recent report commissioned by the Royal Mail, it was revealed that more than one in four people in the UK shop online at least once a week. This new research shows that the percentage of consumers shopping online on a weekly basis has increased from 22% last year to 26% in 2018. Two in three people purchase an item via the Internet every month, while 3% shop online on a daily basis. All those items need to be delivered to the customers and there are myriad opportunities for independent drivers and larger companies.

Growing Popularity of Delivery Subscription Schemes

Because it’s more convenient to shop from the comfort of their own home, the office or even on the go, more and more people are browsing the internet on their phones, laptops and tablets for the items they’re looking for instead of heading to a bricks-and-mortar store. To make shopping even more convenient, in order to stay appealing, many companies also offer delivery subscription schemes, such as Amazon Prime or ASOSPremier.

The previouslymentioned report states that close to 30% of UK consumers use these types of schemes. Tellingly, it is most popular among 18-24 year olds, where 40% have a delivery subscription. In the25-34 age group it is 37%, and in the 35-44 year oldsthe figure is35%.

Thriving Work Opportunities

Of course, statistics are all well and good, but how do they affect the industry in real terms? The projection is that the popularity of online shopping will only continue to increase as a youthful demographic of digital natives become consumers. Retailers will be forced to respond to consumer demands if they want to stay competitive, which follows that the demand for courier jobs will rise too.

To respond to customer demand and expectations for fast and convenient deliveries, many companies have launched “try-before-you-buy”or “money back guarantee” incentives. This means that the purchase includes a simple, and often free, delivery and returns policy, which allows customers to send their purchase back if they are not satisfied. Consequently, this has increased the need for more delivery jobs.(The report revealed that close to a quarter of shoppers surveyed had returned an item in the past month, a number thathad increased significantly compared to the same period the previous year.)

Get Involved

With so many potential opportunities to pick up morecourier jobs as the online retail landscape evolves, as long as you’re adaptable, dependable and motivated, the future looks pretty bright for anyone working in the delivery industry.

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,300 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.