Today the demand for courier services throughout the UK is higher than it’s ever been with an estimated 23% market increase in 2020 being the biggest in over five years. With the Covid pandemic making it difficult for customers and businesses to interact as websites take the place of storefronts, cheap and reliable courier services are something all businesses need. Whether you’re a restaurant or a clothing brand, a jeweler or a bookstore, getting your product to the customer as quickly as possible is paramount.
Before you dive into picking a courier service for your business there are a few things you need to take into consideration. Do you need to deliver food or ship large parcels? Are you shipping locally, nationally, or even internationally? Do you require rapid delivery times or bulk transport? It’s important to understand your needs to make the best choice for your company.
Finally, it’s important to understand your company’s priorities such as time, safety, money, and sustainability. Once you have a good understanding of all your needs, you can begin to look into the different delivery services that best suit your company. To get you started, we’ve put together a list to help you make the right decision.
Parcel Delivery
Royal Mail
In 2019, Royal Mail was voted the number one choice for delivery services for small businesses. As well as providing cheap and reliable services, it is also used as a main shopping option by over 37 of the UK’s top 100 online retailers. With a focus on Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am, and 1pm guarantees to deliver the parcels by the next working day domestically, it’s understandable why they’re repeatedly voted as the number one choice. They also provide 23,000 parcel shops nationwide for pick-ups and focus mainly on UK delivery, but can also provide export services.
Parcelforce, A trading name of Royal Mail, focuses mainly on delivery to and within Europe. They offer a quick, easy-to-use service and reliable delivery times, a great choice for any company looking to combine both national and international services.
Hermes
As the most commonly used parcel delivery service for the UK’s top 100 online retailers, Hermes offers quick and convenient delivery to any business. With next day and stated day options available, and over 40,000 pick-up points throughout the UK, it’s easy to see why most online retailers choose to go with Hermes. On top of that, the company has set a goal to provide emission-free delivery by 2025, making it a great choice for environmentally-conscious businesses.
DPD
With a strong focus on delivering parcels across Europe, DPD offers a great service for anyone looking to expand internationally. With 22,000 pick-up points nationwide, they make picking up your parcel a quick and easy service. For those companies looking to become more environmentally aware, they offset their carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits. Although maybe not first choice for national deliveries, they are certainly a solid choice for any international business looking to expand and perform.
DHL
International delivery powerhouse, DHL combines German logistics with affordable and easy delivery. With a heavy focus on next day delivery, many companies around the world rely on them. With a renowned international focus, your company can focus on clients from all around the world. For the environmentally savvy, they offer a variety of environmentally-friendly options to suit your needs, such as biodegradable packaging, carbon-efficient freight, and energy saving warehousing.
Food Delivery
If your business focuses on food delivery, there are many delivery services tailored to your needs. From local services to international companies, the food delivery industry has boomed in the last twelve months. With Covid forcing companies to adapt to healthier, safer, and contamination-free conditions, the options available can provide you with everything you need to get your food to your customers quickly. Below is a list of some of the great options to choose from.
Deliveroo
With an easy-to-use app that includes meal time predictions, Deliveroo allows your business to get your food to customers in the best conditions. They use local delivery drivers and cyclists fitted with insulated equipment to achieve the fastest and safest times possible. With a company goal to deliver food within 30 minutes around the clock, you can understand why they’re one of the top food delivery services available.
FEAST
Working within the London area, FEAST offers a fast and reliable way for customers to eat from local restaurants. A focus on the London area allows FEAST to make their service efficient and cheap. With intimate traffic knowledge and a familiarity of local business, their service provides an authentic London experience for both companies and customers.
One Delivery
In just their 4th year of business, One Delivery has managed to become one of the UK’s top food delivery services. Working closely with big chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King, and operating in over sixty five major cities, they have streamlined their services.
Foodhub
Doing something a little different than the rest, Foodhub doesn’t charge customers for delivery. They also work with over 20,000 selected restaurants to offer discounts and deals to save their customers money. If you’re a local restaurant, Foodhub can provide you with a great way to connect with your customers.
Your Delivery Solution is a Click Away
Whether you’re a local business or national, restaurant or general goods store, with the right delivery service you business can grow. In the ever changing world of Covid precautions and route optimization becoming paramount for all delivery services, you can rest assured your product will be delivered safe, secure, and on time.
