We don’t want to drag it out too much, but yes: the ones mentioned in Casaleggio Associati’s report ‘The Partners of eCommerce Companies 2024’ among logistics and shipping services are us. But how did we end up there?
Casaleggio Associati’s report “The Partners of eCommerce Companies 2024” explores the landscape of the most relevant suppliers for the eCommerce sector in Italy, offering an in-depth analysis of the main solutions and strategic partners chosen by companies to strengthen their online presence. In addition, the report identifies the areas where eCommerce managers are investing the most, tracking emerging trends, current challenges and technological innovations to watch out for in the near future.
Well, among the more than 700 solutions analysed in different categories, from logistics to platform management, from payment systems to marketing services, GEL Proximity certainly could not be missing!
As the report points out, logistics is increasingly a strategic element for successful eCommerce. Let’s find out why.
Logistics and Shipping, a strategic sector
Logistics, it is true, is increasingly a strategic area for eCommerce. However, it is also a critical area, given the growing expectations of consumers in terms of speed and flexibility of delivery.
The Casaleggio Associati 2024 report shows that 15% of Italian companies plan significant investments in logistics services in the coming months, thus recognising logistics not only as a means to make deliveries, but as an opportunity to differentiate the service and improve the overall user experience.
“Ensuring an efficient logistics system and on-time delivery,” the report says, “goes beyond mere customer satisfaction: it is a key element for credibility and lasting business expansion. (…) Investing time and resources in logistics and shipping processes is not only an operational imperative, but a strategic move to ensure customer loyalty and long-term prosperity of the ecommerce business.
Shipping times and costs are an issue for both merchants and consumers
As anticipated, shipping time and costs are a critical issue for eCommerce and consumers.
In fact, the report shows that about half of consumers abandon their shopping cart if they discover unexpected costs during check-out. In general, free shipping proves to be the best solution to optimise the conversion rate of an online store.
As far as shipping times are concerned, it is a good idea to give a precise and realistic estimate of the expected delivery date from the outset. In general, the shorter the time, the more the buyer will be enticed to finalise the purchase.
Finally, the choice of shipping type also has a strong impact on the quality of service perceived by the end customer. Consumers, in fact, demand multiple and flexible options that are better able to meet their needs.
Key logistics data from the report
In Italy, there are around 300 forwarding agents, which in turn can be traced back to 17 operators.
Despite a substantial improvement in transit times nationwide, with an average of 1.63 days (35.2 per cent less than in 2022), and a reduction in the rate of problems encountered (6.9 per cent overall, 17.3 per cent less than in 2022), the report shows that 46 per cent of eCommerce users felt that shipping services could still be improved, while only 3 per cent said they were totally dissatisfied with the service.
Main trends in logistics and shipping
The report then highlights some key trends for the eCommerce logistics sector, including:
- Sustainable logistics: the issue of sustainability is increasingly central for consumers. Delivery methods that reduce environmental impact, such as Lockers and Pick-up Points, are therefore increasingly important to secure the trust of customers. These options are in fact increasingly popular and, at the same time, allow eCommerce to optimise delivery times and reduce transport costs, offering added value in terms of both sustainability and convenience.
- Adoption of omnichannel solutions: many eCommerce shops aim to offer greater integration between online and physical shops, improving the customer experience through a flexible and distributed pick-up network.
Pick-up Points and Lockers, the state of the art in Italy
Italy is in the middle of the European ranking with regard to the spread of Out of Home delivery solutions, with 14 points per 10,000 inhabitants. Poland (with 38 points per 10 thousand inhabitants), the Czech Republic (33 points) and Denmark (31 points) lead the ranking.
However, the large difference in terms of pick-up points should be interpreted as a positive sign: it means that the coming years will see a strong development of these alternative, more sustainable and more flexible delivery modes.
As proof of this, already 11% of eCommerce companies say they will implement delivery solutions such as Locker, Delivery community service and Click & Collect as a strategy to increase their online sales.
GEL Proximity among strategic partners for eCommerce logistics
And that is why GEL Proximity is on the list of the most relevant strategic partners in the eCommerce logistics sector according to Casaleggio Associati.
The GEL Proximity platform allows eCommerce retailers to easily integrate Locker and Pick-up Points for shipment management, responding to the growing demand for flexible and sustainable delivery solutions. By partnering with GEL, retailers can therefore expand their logistics network and improve efficiency, keeping costs under control and increasing customer satisfaction. In short, yes, we are a strategic partner.
Want to become our partner now? Request a demo now!
Beyond logistics: other strategic aspects for eCommerce
Besides logistics, the Casaleggio Associati report highlights other key areas where eCommerce managers are focusing their investments.
Innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and conversational commerce are particularly promising, with 69% of companies planning new investments in these technologies.
eCommerce platforms also continue to be a primary area of focus, with 65 per cent of companies stating that they will upgrade their platforms to support an omnichannel selling experience.
In addition, there is a growing focus on payment systems: a variety of methods and the adoption of flexible options such as BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) are improving conversion rates and reducing abandoned shopping carts.
Finally, digital marketing services, such as advertising campaigns and personalised communications, represent another area of strategic investment, with 60 per cent of eCommerce providers planning additional expenditure to enhance their marketing capabilities.
Want to know more? Discover the full report. It is about us on page 37. Or check out the official GEL Proximity page on the Ecommerce Italia website!
