The event held at London’s Royal College of Surgeons, boasted a number of experienced speakers who were quick to state that despite the decline in traditional mail volumes, the future is bright and positive for parcel delivery methods, whilst placing the customer’s experience at the centre of their strategies is the way forward.
Leading the way was host sponsor, Royal Mail’s Managing Director of MarketReach, Jonathan Harman, who told attendees that the future of mail is digitals’ best friend. Harman’s viewpoint was supported by his colleague Nick Landon, Managing Director of Royal Mail Parcels who in his presentation announced that 2/3 of consumers claim to be shopping online, whilst 50% of online shoppers are influenced into making a purchase by social media channels. With the increase in e-commerce shopping and the rise in the use of social media, innovation is key and carriers need to respond to the evolution.
Other messages coming out of The Mail & Express delivery show focused around the conclusion that market leaders need to invest in their customers and promote leadership throughout their business. Landon continued to say31% of consumers abandon their carts due to the choice of delivery options. Businesses need to focus on what consumers really want and offer it to them in a cost effective way.
Martin Brown, General Manager, Parcel2go stressed that a key factor in Parcel2go’s significant rise in success was due to a heavy focus on delivering service through social media channels and confessing that £1m of its profit was achieved through doing so. Brown stated that71% of internet users will buy from someone who they follow on social media and 25% of the top 25 UK retailers are now responding through this channel. Parcel2go stressed that all organisations should answer their customer’s complaints in real time and shout out about success as the power of social media is incredible and the way forward for the industry.
As well as an array of presentations, the show gave the chance for leading organisations in the industry to showcase new products and existing innovations as the 300+ attendees were invited to join together for networking in between presentations.
As well as Harman and Landon, other presentations were given by Walter Blackwood, Director of Group Logistics, Mothercare, Gary Winter, Sales & Marketing Director, Hermes, Colonel Stephen Herron, Head of British Forces Post Office, Nigel Doust, CEO, Blackbay, Clair Muir, Head of Development, Amethyst Group, John Tuohy, CEO, Nightline and Nick Wells, CEO, TNT Post to name a few.
For a full list of exhibitors, sponsors and speakers please visit our website.
