Market Trends

New shipping requirements and VAT charges are deterring consumers from buying internationally Online deliveries to the UK from Europe have plummeted by more than half in the first quarter of 2021, new data has found. EU to UK shipments are down 50.7% compared to Q4 2020, with new shipping requirements and additional VAT charges have had a dramatic effect on the number of parcels being shipped to the UK. The findings, from e-commerce shipping platform…

Sorted’s shipments grow 100% year on year, and the company has already seen a 243% growth through its SaaS platform in January 2021 versus January 2020 Sorted named by the FT as one of fastest growing companies in Europe Sorted, the global delivery experience pioneer, has raised $15m in growth capital after another consecutive record year helping retailers to deliver products to customers worldwide with the boom in online sales. $7m of this funding was…

Internet retailers failing to meet delivery and returns expectations Consumers are choosing who they shop with depending on the ‘last mile’ service provided, new research has revealed. Long delivery times top the list of frustrations for consumers (50%), followed closely by paying for returns (42%) and limited stock availability (38%). In fact, over a third (35%) of respondents claimed they would rather buy elsewhere than wait a long time for a delivery, highlighting the importance…

The Government unveiled its latest thinking on a new online sales tax this week. In addition to retail purchases, it could apply to online holidays, accommodation and software, warns ParcelHero. This week, the Government revealed more information about its proposed online sales tax (OST), including plans to widen its scope by including sales of computer software, holidays and accommodation. The home delivery expert ParcelHero says the new tax would unfairly hit people who are housebound…

SATO Europe has announced the launch of a new customer-focused approach to its labels and ribbons ranges, in response to demands for greater operational efficiency and waste reduction across global supply chains. The European Consumables Program (ECP) has been developed to generate extra benefits for customers by placing a core focus on streamlining labelling processes, in order to reduce costs and related downtime in operations. Working closely with customers in key sectors, including healthcare, retail, manufacturing,…

Darren Clapich, Business Development Manager at HGVC, reflects on the safety of our most important asset – our people – and how it continues to change. Safety is paramount in logistics. Processes which prevent fork lift truck operators seriously injuring pedestrian colleagues or which prevent dangerous HGV driving – among other things – are part of the business model, emphasised with good training. But accidents still take place. Figures based on RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries,…

Britain’s unilateral decision to shelve the next phase of Northern Ireland border checks has left the EU threatening legal action, while a new ParcelHero report reveals UK e-commerce stores face a 35% drop in sales of products sourced outside the UK.  The international delivery specialist ParcelHero says the Government’s Brexit plans are in crisis. It warns Brexit is likely to cost UK traders £5.25bn in lost revenues and increased costs. ParcelHero is also cautioning that…

Chancellor Sunak’s promised £65bn spend, at the expense of a new 25% corporation tax, is simply robbing Peter to pay Paul. It’s not enough to save many SME retailers and manufacturers, cautions the home delivery expert ParcelHero The unprecedented national debt created by the impact of the Covid pandemic means Chancellor Rishi Sunak could not produce the Budget to save many struggling SME businesses, fears the e-commerce expert ParcelHero. ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David…