Minimizing fuel surcharges this retail peak season
There’s no shying away from it: the upcoming retail peak season will likely be characterized by rising operating costs and reduced consumer spending.
Factors like the cost-of-living crisis, global inflation and rising energy prices are putting financial pressure on retailers, as well as the customers that generally provide a welcome boost in spending around this time.
Fuel surcharges – an unwelcome additional burden
Recent research from Metapack shows that 9 in 10 retailers expect to be impacted by rising costs this peak season. And they’re leaping into action: 35% are increasing the cost of delivery; 26% are changing delivery options; and 18% are increasing promotions.
The last thing retailers want to contend with right now is fuel surcharges. However, carriers and delivery services are under pressure themselves due to rising fuel prices, and this cost will in turn be passed down to the end user.
Sustainable delivery: a solution to reduce the cost of the final mile
Is there a way of avoiding fuel surcharges altogether? Sadly not. However, a great way to reduce the impact is by diverting shipments to delivery methods that are less reliant on traditional fuels.
Here are some delivery partners which can help, from within Metapack’s network of 350+ carriers.
Homerr: customer-friendly and environmentally-conscious
Homerr is a logistics network for retailers looking for a customer-friendly, environmentally-conscious and competitively-priced solution. ‘Homerrs’, the delivery partners that make up the network, are private individuals and local entrepreneurs who make their homes or shops available as drop-off or pick-up points. Because Homerr uses existing routes and collection points, it can save up to 79% of CO2 per parcel.
Homerr’s innovative model, together with the scale of its network, makes for a unique delivery provider in the Netherlands and Belgium. The company is proud of the positive effects its drop-off points have on social cohesion. Small local entrepreneurs and individuals know their neighborhood like no other. At a time when society is becoming increasingly individualistic, Homerr is breaking this trend and bringing people together again.
Zedify: sustainable logistics on a new level
Zedify has an innovative business shipping service that delivers competitive pricing and brings substantial gains on sustainability. Now operating from 10 UK hubs, Zedify’s highly efficient model is centered on parcel consolidation and fleets of large electric cargo trikes which can carry half the volume of a small van. Their bikes navigate congested cities with ease, using cycle infrastructure to beat traffic and deliver 60% faster than vans (electric or otherwise).
With a fully electric fleet, Zedify’s clients are protected from rising fuel costs. Combine this with the efficiencies designed into their model and you get a highly competitive service perfect for the demands of retail’s busiest shopping season, with impressive sustainability savings to boot. Zedify’s service is a whopping 92% lower-carbon compared to an electric van.
Find out more about Zedify
Discover Metapack’s 350+ strong carrier network.
Minimizing fuel surcharges this retail peak season
The last thing retailers want to contend with right now is fuel surcharges. However, carriers and delivery services are under pressure themselves due to rising fuel prices. This cost will likely be passed down in turn to the end user. A great way to reduce the impact is by diverting shipments to delivery methods that are less reliant on traditional fuels.
For example, Homerr is a logistics network made up of private individuals and local entrepreneurs who make their homes or shops available as drop-off or pick-up points. Because Homerr uses existing routes and collection points, it can save up to 79% CO2 per parcel.
Zedify, on the other hand, uses fleets of large electric cargo trikes, which can carry half the volume of a small van and save 92% CO2 compared to an Electric Vehicle. Their bikes navigate congested cities with ease, using cycle infrastructure to beat traffic and deliver 60% faster than vans (electric or otherwise).
Find out more about Homerr, Zedify, and the rest of Metapack’s 350+ strong carrier network, here.
