Consumer expectations have gone way beyond fair pricing. 80% of online shoppers consider their shopping experience to be as important as the products they purchase. The critical task of getting the right package to the right person, on-time, requires a specialist approach.
The weakest link in this particular chain is often the labelling process. Regardless of whether your challenge is higher parcel volumes, shorter delivery times or labour shortages, here are some factors that are worthy of consideration.
Do you expect to handle higher throughput?
In the UK, teenagers and pensioners alike have transitioned to online shopping with fast moving consumer goods accounting for the largest part of e-commerce sales. Despite an anticipated reduction in total spend, the e-commerce share of total retail sales is expected to grow, as generation Z becomes part of the workforce.
Is it necessary to pre-sort packages?
If your labelling system has been in use for some years, applicator height restrictions may mean that you need to pre-sort packages by size. Upgrading to a modern Print & Apply system will enable you to label almost any type of shipment, regardless of packaging and height. More advanced systems can apply the label to specific X, Y, Z coordinates on every single parcel. Covering an existing label can make a package easier to track and trace.
Do you use multiple carriers?
When you use a labelling system that has pre-programmed algorithms, the most cost-effective carrier is automatically selected for each package, depending on region, volume and delivery expectations.
Do you handle shipping documents automatically?
Consumer paperwork, delivery notes, invoices and even pre-printed flyers are often printed, sorted and inserted by hand. Automating this process means last minute order changes are accurately reflected in the paperwork. Advanced document handling systems can even automate the process of applying a pouch to the exterior of a parcel for B2B consignments.
If you want to replace or extend an out-of-date shipping process, the ideal partner is a specialist who is large enough to manage the whole project from exploration to installation and small enough to focus on your specific requirements, without enormous overhead costs. Understanding why you want to upgrade is paramount to getting the right result, and naturally individual components must be integrated in a plug and play solution that dovetails seamlessly with existing equipment.
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