Drone-delivered orders and a sustainable online store - eCommerce news no. 57

Online store customers patiently await the end-of-year promotions, eCommerce owners care about selling in the spirit of sustainable development, and marketplace Amazon plans to introduce drone deliveries in Europe. These events have been driving the eCommerce industry in recent weeks. Do you want to learn more about the latest trends shaping the present and future of online shopping? You can quickly achieve this goal by reading the 57th edition of the Advox eCommerce Press Release.

Are customers becoming more responsible while shopping online? The Chamber of Digital Economy report

The concept of sustainable development has long been an integral part of technological development in various areas, including eCommerce. For a growing number of online stores and their users, concepts related to social responsibility, environmental protection, and ethics are becoming increasingly important. This is confirmed by the latest edition of the report titled "Odpowiedzialny E-commerce 2023" by the Chamber of Digital Economy.

Among eCommerce managers, 100% of those surveyed considered their company as responsible. The study also showed that Poles are open to education from e-sellers and various eco-solutions (e.g., reusable packaging) if they are available during purchases.

What else distinguishes the approach of Polish consumers?

• 67% of e-consumers take into account whether the e-seller operates according to the principles of sustainable development.
• 79% of buyers consider issues of responsibility and ethics important in eCommerce.
• 35% of Poles pay attention to the principles of sustainable development during shopping, such as the ethical operation of an e-store and adaptation to the needs of people with special requirements.
• 26% of consumers notice unethical or non-ecological practices of e-stores.

In summary, the report shows the growing interest of consumers in issues of sustainable development in eCommerce and emphasizes the need for education and other actions from e-sellers in this area. At the same time, it appears that despite the growing ecological awareness, Poles often make online purchases based on economic aspects such as lower delivery costs or shorter waiting times for the shipment.

Does your e-store act responsibly? Find out more about what issues are worth paying attention to by reading the full version of the report.

Online order delivery by drone? It's possible

Imagine that you place an online order which in a short time lands straight in your garden delivered by a drone. Such a scenario is already a reality for residents of some states in the USA. Soon, Amazon marketplace customers from the UK and Italy will also be able to take advantage of drone deliveries.

Amazon plans to introduce an innovative delivery service in Europe by the end of 2024. For this purpose, the company is working on adapting the solution to European conditions, including compliance with legal regulations. The company should soon present details regarding the rules for using this form of delivery and the exact locations where it will be available. What information can we expect?

Drone delivery will be an option dedicated to packages weighing no more than 2 kilograms. Meeting this requirement, however, is not enough to use the service - interested customers will have to go through a verification process that will ensure full safety and control.

The industry leader will most likely use modern drone models that are smaller, quieter, and more environmentally friendly. Their operation is based on GPS technology. Importantly, the equipment used will be able to operate even in conditions of light rain and wind and will be able to cover significant distances, ensuring convenient and efficient delivery service.

Is this what the future of deliveries in eCommerce will look like? You can read more about the use of drones in logistics at this link.

Salesforce Shopping Index Q3, or how did e-customers shop in the third quarter of 2023?

Customers remain attached to their favourite brands, but delay purchases in anticipation of upcoming promotions. This summarises the behaviour that accompanied consumers in the 3rd quarter of 2023. According to the report regularly prepared by Salesforce (which examined over 1.5 billion consumers from 67 countries), it turns out that the value of online sales in Europe increased by 9% compared to the previous period.

What else characterises the approach of online buyers in the 3rd quarter of the year?

• The most eagerly purchased products were fashion accessories, especially handbags, which saw a sales increase of 20%.
• In contrast to the fashion industry, categories such as toys, education, or electronics recorded a decline in sales.
• Artificial intelligence plays an increasingly significant role in B2C stores, influencing the growth of online sales.
• Customer loyalty is becoming an essential element, and companies must invest in strategies and programs that encourage customer return and offer excellent customer service. Orders placed by regular customers accounted for as much as 43% of all transactions.

How will the end of the year shape up in eCommerce? Salesforce's forecasts for the rest of the year suggest that consumers can certainly expect high discounts and promotions during the holiday shopping season. In addition, customer service will be key for them - as much as 94% of buyers believe that high-quality service increases the chance of placing an order again.

Is your e-store ready for sales in the last months of the year? Check what else you should pay attention to according to the Salesforce report - you can find it here.