The state of e-commerce continues to move more toward heavier, non-traditional online purchases. The trend has been evident in recent years, but heavier freight remained on the fringe of e-commerce shipping. However, the state of the industry is changing in the wake of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and shippers need to understand why and what it means for heavier freight shipping and how to navigate heavier freight to stay successful in e-commerce freight shipping in 2020.
What’s Happening With E-Commerce Freight Shipping in 2020
The U.S. is in panic, and customers are demanding much more of shippers than ever before. The need to stock up is paramount, and shippers are struggling to keep up with demand. As more people look to avoid public places, the need for e-commerce freight shipping in 2020 will only grow, and with the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus, heavier freight will need to become more synonymous with e-commerce capabilities too. Moreover, today’s consumers want the same delivery standards, fast and free, for heavier e-commerce freight, and consumers are actively avoiding certain retailers that cannot meet such standards. According to Freight Waves:
“Of 330 consumers surveyed who bought an oversized piece of furniture last year, 56 percent said they would avoid a boutique retailer if the shipping costs were too high, while 36 percent said they wouldn’t use such a retailer if the delivery windows were too long, according to a survey released August 29 by logistics technology company uShip and research firm YouGov. About 27 percent abandoned a boutique retailer’s cart because they were turned off by the delivery expense, and 26 percent said replacing their current furniture was either too difficult or costly, the survey found.”