All industries felt the impact of the pandemic. Shipping operations got disrupted, which caused massive delays in various industries. Numerous issues surfaced in the middle of the pandemic, affecting many lives and virtually all businesses of every industry possible.
Unknown to many is that the shipping industry accounts for most of the goods transported worldwide. It has a huge role in the world economy, affecting all sorts of trade. But because of the many challenges shipping operators face, even the businesses they cater to are having a hard time coping.
The Surge in Online Shopping
As lockdowns and sheltering in place are implemented, more people turned into online consumers. They now do most of their shopping online, which meant an increased number of online sales. Since online shopping tends to be more convenient, they would rather wait a few days or weeks just to get what they need instead of increase their exposure to other people in stores.
While this is good news for businesses, the number of shipments skyrocketed. Businesses had to work harder to meet create enough inventories. They also need to find reliable couriers to ensure customer orders are delivered on time.
As logistics companies have more shipments to handle, this increased the demand for faster shipping and delivery. But due to the massive amount of parcels and packages that needed to be shipped each day, some companies needed more time to ship them all. Since customers who paid extra shipping costs expect faster delivery times, carriers needed to work double-time just to pacify the consumer’s demands.
Sick and Scared Employees
The problem with the COVID-19 virus is that it does not discriminate, no matter what. Many couriers had employees getting sick from the virus. Some are unable to report to work after they were exposed to someone who tested positive.
Some of their employees are scared to go to work in fear of getting sick. They are afraid of contracting the virus and bringing it home to their loved ones. This is especially true with workers who live with someone who is part of the more vulnerable groups during the crisis.
The lack of manpower became the main concern. Add the fact that there are more packages to ship and more businesses needing their services. Without enough people working, operations will slow down and business efficiency is put to risk.
Lockdowns
We need to remember that not all shipments only travel locally. Some need to make it past the border. Others have to travel internationally.
Some countries and states imposed lockdowns. Even as economies slowly open, uncoordinated lockdowns and lack of information caused a lot of confusion. Parcels got stuck on their way to their destination due to ports not allowing them to leave or move on.
The problem is, not all shipments can wait. Some goods being delivered have a limited shelf-life. This left many farmers with no choice but to destroy their stocks they can no longer deliver and sell.
How Businesses Tackle Shipping Delays
The shipping delays caused businesses a lot of headaches. It is true that some customers are more forgiving because they understand that is it not the brand’s fault why their orders were delivered rate. But then, there are still customers who don’t appreciate the late deliveries, thus opting to rant online and leaving poor reviews because they waited too long for the packages.
Some businesses had no choice but to find other couriers who can fulfill their shipping needs in time. For the most part, this usually means choosing a local shipping company for faster and hassle-free shipping. They are also being meticulous about how they choose their couriers.
Businesses still value quality and delivery time. But nowadays, they are also choosing companies who market themselves as sustainable companies. They are looking forward to partner with businesses that are also exercising their corporate social responsibilities.
This is another reason why businesses are choosing local shipping companies. They know that the shorter the time it takes to ship and deliver their goods to their customers, the better it is for the environment. They also prefer companies who already made the switch and turned to more eco-friendly solutions as part of their eco-friendly initiatives.
Brands are also prioritizing customer experience by making sure they stay updated with their order’s tracking. So, they choose couriers who have a reliable tracking system. They do this to give customers peace of mind by notifying them of the current status and location of their parcels on time.
Shipping delays can impart a brand’s reputation and ruin a customer’s trust. Many people don’t take late deliveries lightly, even under the new normal. This is why it becomes a must that businesses find reliable companies to handle and deliver their shipments with care and on time.
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