Consumer expectations are changing due to the recent spike in online shopping with more than half (54%) of online shoppers wanting retailers to deliver parcels to after-hours location hubs, new research from parcel pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) network Hubbed, has shown.
The survey findings were released in tandem with the launch of Hubbed’s Click & Collect ecommerce plugins, which enable retailers to give consumers a choice to have their parcels delivered to more than 2,000 collection points directly from their shopping carts. These include BP service stations, 7-Eleven outlets and other convenience stores, major retail chains, such as Repco and National Storage, as well local newsagents and pharmacies.
The Hubbed survey found that Click & Collect is among the top three retailer offerings that would motivate consumers to shop more online (chosen by 54% of respondents). Free shipping would motivate 74% of Australians to shop online more often, and improved website experience with more in-depth descriptions, images or videos of products would motivate 54% to shop more online.
The survey also found that 53% of Aussies want retailers to improve their loyalty programs, 51% want honest product reviews on their websites, and 50% would like their shipments consolidated into a single delivery. Additionally, 49% of respondents would like online retailers to include free samples in their deliveries, 46% would prefer free returns and 45% would like delivery packaging improved – all to help them shop online more in the current climate.
CEO and founder, David McLean said Hubbed is thrilled to announce its own click and collect service.
“We are not surprised with the survey results, as they are about the growing demand of Click & Collect within our network, by providing our plugins to the major eCommerce platforms, we can now extend our click and collect services directly to online merchants. For consumers, providing them with more choice, convenience, and control in the collection of their parcels through secure, 24/7 and extended hours locations will be a significant differentiator for them when deciding where to purchase.”
How it works
For retailers to begin offering Hubbed Click & Collect to customers, they need to sign up for a Hubbed account. Then, they can download the plugin and connect it to supported ecommerce platforms, including Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce and Neto – with additional plugins to be released soon. Once successfully installed and activated, the Hubbed plugin automatically appears on the retailer’s checkout page for their consumers, who can then select this option to collect their parcels.
Consumers shopping with a retailer that uses Hubbed Click & Collect will have the option to select it as a delivery option in their shopping cart. The consumer simply searches for their postcode and selects a collection point – usually within 5km of their postcode. They will receive carrier notifications, as well as Hubbed notifications, to collect their parcel once delivered to the chosen collection point.