Amazon recently announced that Prime Day 2020 will be Prime Day(s)…as in plural. Set an alert and mark your calendar because Prime Day 2020 is Tuesday, October 13 AND Wednesday, October 14. The annual shopping holiday will grow from a one-day event to a two-day spending spree for millions of global deal seekers.
That’s great news if you’re hunting for a bargain or trying to get a head start on your holiday shopping list. However, it’s not so great if your business relies on already maxed out carrier delivery networks.
Prime Day was first introduced to the online shopping world in 2015. The eCommerce behemoth manufactured this “holiday” to gain competitive edge in seasonal sales. While it’s probably not a paid holiday for your employer, Prime Day 2020, and the days/weeks leading up to and after should be marked on your calendar.
Here’s why. Although Prime Day isn’t new, this year it’s different. Shippers are already competing with overwhelmed delivery networks. Furthermore, both of the “big two” carriers haven’t given any indication as to when they’ll be reinstating your ability to file for late delivery refunds.
But that’s not all.
Service levels aren’t currently guaranteed, which begs the question: Why would you pay a premium for a service that isn’t guaranteed? (we’ll dig into this in a separate post).
What does all of this mean?
1) UPS/FedEx are not guaranteeing when your packages will be delivered – even if you paid for a certain level of service.
2) If your packages are delivered late, you cannot request refunds.
All of these variables are compounded with the approaching holiday season. Shippers must be proactive in an effort to contain costs and provide their customers with the expected level of service.
So how will Prime Day 2020 impact your business and how can you mitigate any anticipated negative effects?
Your Lojistic account will give you a new perspective into your historical shipping characteristics. See how your shipping expense increased in previous holiday seasons and identify what factors contributed to your rising costs. Armed with this information, you’ll be well equipped to forecast how this upcoming season will impact your business.
Author
Rich Harkey
Rich Harkey
Senior Strategy Manager
Rich Harkey is a results-driven professional with extensive experience in the logistics and supply chain industry.
As the Senior Strategy Manager at Lojistic, Rich leverages over three decades of expertise to help businesses improve their shipping strategies and reduce costs. With a deep understanding of the requirements of shippers and the operational intricacies of carriers, he excels in everything from optimizing business rules and managing carrier invoices to negotiating carrier contracts.
Rich's comprehensive knowledge of the logistics industry, combined with his strategic insights and passion for data analysis, has enabled thousands of companies to gain visibility into their shipping expenses, driving impactful results.