What changes might surprise you in the eCommerce industry right now? It could be the idea of shared parcel machines for multiple companies. Or perhaps you'll be surprised by the results of consumer confidence indicators in Europe or the conclusions from a study on the finances of Poles. You'll read about all of this in this edition of Advox Press Release, which we warmly encourage you to read!
Parcel Machines 2.0 - the future of eCommerce delivery
The popularity of parcel machines is skyrocketing at a dizzying pace. Customers appreciate the convenience of this delivery option, and as a result, more and more companies are developing their own parcel solutions. Consequently, competition in the market is increasing, and the space is filling up with various types of machines. Currently, online shoppers can choose from a variety of options - ranging from parcel machines by InPost to other companies such as DHL, DPD, OrlenPaczka, or Allegro. According to a report by Colliers International, "Parcel lockers 2.0: Development, Innovation, Future" the number of parcel dispatch and collection machines in Poland may increase to even 45,000 by 2024.
Despite the convenience that parcel machines bring to recipients and the business success for companies, the growing number of these devices raises some concerns. Some complain that they spoil urban architecture, while others point out the negative environmental impact and the lack of adherence to the principles of a sustainable economy. In response to these concerns, the authors of the report proposed a concept that could reduce the negative effects of parcel machines, namely the "shared economy."
Shared economy in logistics involves creating an open network of parcel machines, where each postal operator could deliver parcels to a single shared device. Such an initiative would prevent the emergence of further machines, thus reducing the negative environmental impact while increasing functionality for users. As part of this solution, users would have access to a single application instead of multiple ones dedicated to various providers. In Poland, such an integrated network of parcel machines has been created by SwipBox since 2018.
Do you think such a solution has a chance to become a reality in the competitive market? You can read more about this topic here.
In what mood do Polish consumers remain?
The year 2024 favours maintaining positive moods among Polish consumers. April marks the fourth month in which the results of the Consumer Confidence Barometer, measured on behalf of the European Commission, remain positive. Just this month, the index reached a value of 1.3 points. How should we interpret these results?
The Barometer is an aggregated index based on various components (such as the assessment of the current household situation, the assessment of the country's economic situation, or the inclination to make purchases). The value of this index can range from -100 to +100, reflecting the balance of positive and negative opinions. A positive value indicates that the number of optimistically oriented consumers predominates, while a negative value indicates the opposite proportion.
Interestingly, a positive result is not currently common. Many countries in the European Union still struggle with unfavourable consumer sentiments. The average index for Europe stands at -13.7, reflecting the lingering concerns of society regarding potential price increases and labour market crises.
However, looking at the long-term results of the Barometer, one can observe a stabilisation of the market situation. Since 2022 (when the index reached a value close to -30 at the crisis point), there has been an upward trend, suggesting that consumers' situation is gradually stabilising.
You can analyse the barometer results here. Do you see a connection between the barometer results and the level of sales?
Is how we pay more important than how much we pay? AutoPay Study
"Finances in times of uncertainty" (originally: “Finanse w czasach niepewności”) - that's the title of this year's study by AutoPay. Since 2016, the company has been conducting research on the approach of Poles to finances. Year by year, significant changes in attitudes towards shopping are observed, especially in the context of online purchases. Initially, interest in this form increased significantly, only to stabilise in 2021 at a steady, albeit still high level.
How do this year's results look?
- Price still remains the main criterion when choosing online stores (75%). However, equally important are issues such as the method and cost of delivery (67%), store credibility (62%), and the convenience of order fulfilment (45%).
- For customers, the ability to choose different payment methods is becoming increasingly important. The most popular methods are: BLIK (60%), quick payments like AutoPay (45%), and debit/credit cards (37%).
- The most important factor in choosing a payment method is convenience (68%). However, speed (68%) and transaction security (59%) are equally important.
The AutoPay study was conducted in March 2024 on a diverse group of buyers. This allowed for drawing conclusions regarding variable expectations depending on factors such as age or place of residence. For example, trust in the e-store brand is most important for the oldest customers, who also often pay attention to the convenience of transactions and the credibility of payment service providers. Meanwhile, the ability to choose payment methods or quick product returns is more important for the youngest customers.
Did any of the conclusions surprise you? You can find the full report here.
