Mattias Gredenhag, CTO at nShift
Ecommerce delivery solutions and delivery-tracking software hold the keys to unlocking international revenue opportunities
Last week witnessed the biggest sales event of the year. But we’ll forgive you if you missed it.
It didn’t make a splash in the news. It failed to light up your social media. And it almost certainly didn’t form part of your 2024 growth strategy.
Singles’ Day (11th November) is the Chinese event that celebrates the romantically unattached. Sales this year most likely exceeded 2023’s $156.4 billion. That’s more than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.[1]
Like Black Friday, Singles’ Day has become something of a season. Sales and discounts began in mid-October, with the day itself representing the final opportunity to bag a bargain. Unlike Black Friday, the event has achieved little global recognition. Awareness of Singles’ Day is below 20% in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, though it exceeds 40% in Germany.[2]
There is no particular reason that Singles’ Day can’t catch on in the west. After all, there are plenty of single people. But even if, for now, the day holds only limited prospects for western retailers, there is still much to learn from the world’s biggest ecommerce event.
Looking at what happens on Singles’ Day gives us an insight into the behaviors of China’s 900 million internet users.[3] And given that China is such an advanced ecommerce market, the trends that are shaping the 11th November could soon be influencing global shopping patterns more generally.
Here are three things that Singles’ Day should remind us:
Improving the ecommerce customer experience by introducing new ways of promoting and selling products
“Live shopping” whereby consumers bid against each other for goods they see on social media (and other channels) is hugely popular in China. While it is growing in the west it remains a blind spot for too many brands and retailers. Exploring live-shopping strategies could open up a retailer to new markets and help engage current markets.
The importance of offering customer choice with ecommerce delivery solutions
As with Black Friday, shoppers are not just searching for the best bargain. They are surrounded by deals and will often opt for retailers and brands that provide the best customer experience. Choice of delivery options at checkout helps to increase cart conversions. It’s also important to a customer – including those buying internationally – that they know how to return an item. And when buying with from a different country, it’s crucial that the shopper receives regular updates on the status of their delivery or return. For retailers, this makes the best delivery-tracking software critical.
The need to master international shipping and invest in delivery-tracking software
Issues associated with shipping remain the biggest barriers to buying and selling internationally. Some 67% of consumers are concerned about long delivery times and their ability to track orders while a further 63% worry about not being able to submit a return and get some form of credit back. The higher costs associated with international delivery and returns also featured in the top barriers for customers (61%).[4]
With the right access to a sufficient number of carrier connections, a decent range of delivery options, and consumer-friendly order tracking, retailers can overcome these barriers.
Get in touch if we can help you get on top of global shipping and create a competitive delivery experience.
[1] https://queue-it.com/blog/singles-day-statistics/
[2] https://queue-it.com/blog/singles-day-statistics/
[3] https://obaninternational.com/blog/chinas-ecommerce-revolution-goes-global/
[4] https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nshift-report-finds-delivery-is-the-biggest-barrier-for-buying-internationally-302138252.html
Author
Author
Mattias Gredenhag
Chief Technology Officer
Mattias heads up the performance of nShift’s multipurpose software, overseeing product management and leading research & development projects. Mattias has more than 12 years of experience in the Delivery Management industry and the SaaS market, holding various senior positions in the industry for many years.
