Wal-Mart's Second E-Commerce Operation Launched In Silicon Valley

Wal-Mart is spreading its’ wings all around the globe and there is no other retailer like it. The company is moving at a fast pace relative to its’ advancement in e-commerce. This aspect of business is becoming so vital for companies, that investment into this area commands technological experts to make it successful. Wal-Mart understands that the key to landing these tech engineers is to open up an e-commerce operation right where they are—Silicon Valley.

This is exactly what the retail giant did, and they now have a second office in Silicon Valley reported Internet Retailer. The new location is about 30 miles away from their San Bruno location. So far, Wal-Mart has almost 500 employees at this office, with plans to expand to 1,000. This is a huge staff undertaking, which shows it’s confidence level in the area. Their San Bruno location has 1,500 employees as well.

In the article, a Wal-Mart spokesman explained the logic behind building the new facility. The spokesman stated, “We chose Sunnyvale to take advantage of the talent density in the South Bay. San Francisco and the peninsula tend to offer design, app and [user interface] talent, and though there’s plenty of tech talent there, the South Bay has a higher concentration of engineers and technologists. We’re expanding to South Bay to geographically target this different skill set.”

The spokesman also shared some reasons why Wal-Mart can compete against the best of them in the area in regards to acquiring new talent in the area. “Competition for tech talent here is fierce, but we're able to attract and retain talent because of our nimble, startup like culture, and the opportunity for technologists to innovate at a global scale only Wal-Mart can offer, we had a 94% acceptance rate for our job offers.” Wal-Mart isn’t going anywhere and tech experts are comfortable with Wal-Mart’s business direction.

That is indeed correct regarding the global reach that Wal-Mart has, especially with its’ own physical locations, which competitors like Amazon and eBay don’t have. This means a broader growth path for many technologists. The retail giant even has an e-retail partner Yihaodian in China that is has a 51% stake in and has helped it thrive there. With Wal-Mart’s expertise and logistical infrastructure, Yihaodian e-web sales spiked upward last year to $2 billion, growing at a rate of 70% in 2013, all because of Wal-Mart’s aggressive move within the world of e-commerce.

Wal-Mart is growing in the US as well, being very innovative with its’ implementation of same-day delivery in major cities. Same-day grocery service has also been launched relative to e-commerce, with its’ recent strategic roll-out in Denver. Select stores in the city are offering “Walmart To Go”, where customers have the option to order their groceries online and then go pick up their order. Wal-Mart’s main e-commerce competitor is Amazon, which also is global and offers AmazonFresh in the US, its’ version of same-day grocery service. A same-day courier like A-1 Express can help large both corporations like these make there deliveries fast and without having to gain any courier expertise themselves.

Reference: 2.7.14, Internet Retailer, Thad Rueter, Wal-Mart opens a second e-commerce office in Silicon Valley

IBM Reports Jump In Mobile Sales, Same-Day Couriers Could Help Growth

The holiday season is the greatest time for retailers to get their sales numbers up, which affects the year-end figures. IBM is just one of the companies that performed what is called a Digital Analytics Benchmark for 2013 and tracks about 800 e-commerce sites in the US. They gathered information for four retailer categories: home good retailers, heath and beauty, department stores, and apparel. The results of findings showed that online retail sales grew 10.3% in comparison to 2012.

IBM found that last year was simply another record-breaking year during the holiday season also. Thanksgiving went up 19.7%, Black Friday went up to 19% and Cyber Monday went up 20.6%. The online sales data from IBM is not provided monthly. Shoppers have become more comfortable will making purchases online, which has taken some time to happen. With the level of growth occurring with mobile sales, it only makes sense that more online retailers will create more innovative ways to do business and deliver products to the customer’s front door.

Online sales have skyrocketed in the recent years, and the growth has been steady. The numbers for the holidays show online retail is being used by more and more customers via mobile devices as well. Mobile sales were reported by IBM to have increased by 46% compared to last year’s 4th quarter. They also accounted for 16.6% of digital sales as well. Large online retailers like eBay and Wal-Mart, have also offered same-day delivery for their products, which can be easily used from mobile devices as well.

What has been key to mobile sales growth has been the use of smartphones and tablets. IBM found that they accounted for 35% of online traffic during the holiday season. This is a huge increase, up 40% from 2012. Smartphones produced double the traffic of tablets, up 21.3%. However, shoppers spent more money on tablets than smartphones, which equated to $118.09 on tablets, versus $104.72 on smartphones. This makes sense being that tablets are much more user-friendly.

The mobile devices primarily used were Apple products. They generated more sales in the fourth quarter than Google’s smartphone and tablet android software. The iPhone and iPad accounted for 22.1% of total web traffic, 12.7% of total online sales and was used by shoppers that spent $115.42 per order. In contrast, Android shoppers accounted for 10.6% of total web traffic, 2.6% of total online sales, and shoppers sent $83.56 per order.

With the way online sales grew last holiday season, retailers are sure to be anticipating an even bigger numbers this year. The key is going to be who will be prepared for it, already setting up the right delivery system to fulfill the online orders. Some online retailers are opting to perform their own deliveries. However, many other retailers are in some fashion partnering with a Same-Day Courier like A-1 Express to make the deliveries for them. One plus about partnering with A-1 Express is the courier service can be a one-stop source for deliveries nationwide and can quickly implement a same-day delivery solution.

Reference: Internet Retailer, Amy Dusto, Online sales rise 10.3% year over year in Q4

A1 Express Selected To Deliver American Flag To MetLife Stadium For Super Bowl XLVIII!

A-1 Express, a superior leader in same-day delivery, distribution and transportation services, was selected to deliver the American flag to MetLife Stadium for Super Bowl XLVIII. The courier has performed a variety of delivery services throughout its' successful business life all over the country. Yet, being a part of the highly prestigious and excited Super Bowl is one of the highest regarded deliveries to have performed. Out of all the courier services that could have been selected, A-1 Express was partnered with to be involved with the event. It indeed informs customers of the nationwide courier's recognition as a trusted and reliable source for same-day delivery services. A-1 Express is a courier company that pursues to be the best choice in courier and same-day logistic solutions throughout the US.

A-1 Express delivered the American flag to MetLife Stadium on January 25th, over a week prior to the Super Bowl. A-1 Express was requested on January 24th by the client, Colonial Flag, to perform such an honored service. The flag was picked up at 8:15 am in the morning from Delta Cargo at the Newark Liberty International Airport. Once secured, it was than delivered to Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford after 11:22 am. The client received an e-mail once it was picked up and delivered to the final destination.

After the service was performed, A-1 Express was applauded and appreciated for the superior service done by a seasoned, professional courier. "I would like to thank you and your driver for the awesome job you guys did delivering the flag for this years Super Bowl. My customer is most pleased with us. My customer also called your driver to commend him for his patience for waiting 2 hours. The customer wants you to know that on Super Bowl Sunday when they sing the National Anthem, you and your staff can look at it and know that you were responsible for getting it there", stated the satisfied client.

The courier received outstanding remarks in regards to the service provided and the professionalism in which the flag was handled for such an important event to millions of NFL fans. A-1 Express was pleased to have participated in making the Super Bowl a great success and looks forward to future deliveries. The courier prides itself in assisting its' customers in meeting all of their event and occasion delivery goals efficiently as possible and on time. The New Jersey Courier is able to be contacted by various individuals, businesses and large corporations to deliver many types of packages and freight for them nationwide. From small packages to palletized freight, A-1 Express delivers fast and on-time!

Many companies need a courier that has a proven ability and track record of to be able to handle sensitive items or freight in an effective manner. The courier does it all, including local and nationwide courier services, same day services, bike messenger services, long distance freight deliveries, scheduled deliveries, mailing route services, multiple location delivery solutions, daily bank deposit solutions, and more. A-1 Express is also available 24/7 for any after-hour service requests, order questions, quotes and order adjustments, meeting all of its' customers'' same-day delivery needs.

A-1 Express is a premier same-day courier offering transportation and distribution services throughout the US. From small packages to palletized freight, A-1 Express delivers fast. As a leader in the courier industry, the company goal is to create optimal courier logistic solutions and provide superior customer service every time. The courier provides same-day delivery successfully for over 1,500 clients, including Fortune 500 companies nationwide.

Amazon Testing Drones For Same-Day Delivery

One thing about same-day delivery is most retailers and shoppers like the fact that it is so convenient. The ease of the service is undeniable and online business sees the benefits of offering this level of service. Amazon is one retailer that offers same-day delivery and has over 40 order fulfillment centers to aid the service to spread easily in more US cities. Now, the retail giant is testing another way to make same-day delivery in the future even more convenient.

Internet Retailers recently reported that Amazon released new information that the retailer is testing its' first new delivery model using drones. The drones will be used to deliver only small packages to online shoppers. The drones will only deliver packages that are 5 pounds or less. It remains unsaid on whether this weight limit will increase, however, 86% of all Amazon orders meet the drone delivery criteria.

The service will be called Prime Air, which is identical to the Prime family called Amazon Prime. For a $79 yearly fee, online customers can subscribe to a yearly free shipping program. Amazon may offer with Prime Air a subscription along those lines as well. The service offering a subscription is yet to be made known with the drone testing still in process, however, same-day drone delivery will probably be very attractive for all customers worldwide.

Amazon made a statement relative to drone use for same-day delivery and the company appears to be very excited about the futuristic service. Amazon stated in the report, “The goal of this new delivery system is to get packages into customers' hands in 30 minutes or less using unmanned aerial vehicles. Putting Prime Air into commercial use will take some number of years and the [Federal Aviation Administration] rules and regulations.”

The Federal Aviation Association (FAA) did stated the drone same-day delivery will take same-day delivery stated within "several years" to create the rules, which will be drone deliveries like this. The agency also state it has tested "Unmanned Aircraft Systems roadmap" last month, discussing the requirements for us to enter national airspace", Agency administrator Michael Huerta stated in the report stating all deliveries will travel correctly. "It provides a five-year outlook and will have annual updates." 7,500 drones will being flying in the US within five years, which the first commercial drone was used for surveying this past September for a health project.

Amazon is having e-retailers guessing on what will be the next big trend. E-retailers, with large volume of orders to fulfill, will need a delivery system in place via partners such as a Same-Day Courier like A-1 Express. Until this service gets off the ground, e-retailers can call on the Portland Courier the provide superior delivery services and quick service implementation as well.

Reference: 12.2.13, Internet Retailer, Thad Reuter, Amazon.com dances with the drones

Retailers Offer The Right Formula For Same-Day Delivery

Many retailers are in the race for same-day delivery. It is a service that has emerged as the key to unlock success in the online retail industry and growth for brick-and-mortar retailers as well. EBay, Amazon, Google, Target, Wal-Mart, and even the USPS, have all implemented some form of same-day delivery. These well-known retailers and more, are all seeking the right formula for same-day delivery to work.

The New York Times recently reported that retailers are warring regarding same-day delivery and who will make it to the last mile. The article discusses several e-retailers and the formula they are using to win the same-day delivery race. EBay uses its' bike riders, or "valets", to make deliveries within "about an hour", for a $5 fee with a minimum $25 purchase. EBay is planning to waive its' $5 delivery fee between Dec. 21 through Dec. 24 and will extend its' service hours between Dec. 16 through Dec. 23. The retailer is also planning to expand into 25 more US cities.

“One thing Amazon has done very successfully,” Ms. Mulpuru said, “is they’ve owned the entire value chain. They’ve owned the last mile, the moment that matters. That moment is when the package arrives.” She concluded: “Once you can own the moment that matters, you build a loyal customer base.” This was said about Amazon, which has its' on take on how to make same-day delivery successful. Amazon has 40 order fulfillment centers strategically placed all over the US, which cover a total of 80 million square feet of an enormous amount of products. At first Amazon spoke lightly about same-day delivery. However, now the retail giant is offering the service in 11 major US cities. It is highly probable Amazon will continue to expand.

There are other retailers looking for the right formula as well. New start-up Postmates, currently offers same-day delivery in New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Its' formula is utilizing 100 to 200 couriers per week to deliver for them. What is different about Postmates is the retailer has created "surge pricing". When demand for deliveries is higher than the supply of couriers to the point its' couriers are limited, Postmates will charge a higher price to service to its' customers.

Deliv's formula is a crowdsourcing approach. This involves using everyday people, from students to real estate agents, with time on their hands to engage in fast same-day delivery. Now, Kozmo, one of the first online retailers that tried to crack the code on same-day deliver years ago, but failed, is hinting at making another run at it. On the retailers' website, it reads, “Remember us? We’re relaunching soon with the vision to fulfill your online order incredibly fast, and on-demand.” It appears with so many retailers seeking to provide the service, Kozmo feels the time is right to try again, yet will their formula work?

There are a number of directions a retailer can approach same-day delivery, yet ultimately the actual delivery will have to be done on time. A viable option is for a retailer to partner with a Same-Day Courier like A-1 Express to not only perform on-time deliveries, but also help them develop the right formula for same-day delivery to work. This San Francisco Courier has the expertise to quickly implement a courier logistics solution and has the national footprint to help even the largest of retailers thrive using same-day delivery.

Reference: 11.23.13, New York Times, Hilary Stout, In War for Same-Day Delivery, Racing Madly to Go Last Mile