Customers want their goods delivered fast — more consumers than ever consider same-day home delivery a critical service, and it has grown from 40% in 2022 to 57% in 2024. By adopting same-day delivery (SDD), you can build customer rapport, increase sales, streamline operations and position your brand as a top competitor.
What Is Same-Day Delivery?
Same-day delivery replicates the instant gratification of shopping at brick-and-mortar stores with e-commerce’s added convenience. If a buyer chooses same-day delivery, they expect to receive their package on the same day they placed the order.
Same-Day Delivery vs. Same-Day Shipping
Although both same-day shipping and same-day delivery speed up the click-to-customer cycle, they occur at different stages of the logistics pipeline.
Same-Day Delivery
Same-day delivery is the final step in the supply chain — when a product moves from the distribution or fulfillment center to the customer’s door — otherwise known as the last mile. Because SDD is client-facing, businesses must take great care to earn brand trust through reliable, professional last-mile service.
Same-Day Shipping
Same-day shipping is when a product leaves the supplier’s warehouse the same day the customer submits their order. The date the customer receives their order still depends on logistics choices further along the supply chain. If a customer wants their order completed on the same day it’s shipped, they’d need SSD.
How Does Same-Day Delivery Work?
The steps involved in same-day delivery are much like a business’s regular order fulfillment cycle, only optimized for efficiency at every stop.
1. The Customer Selects Same-Day Delivery
After a customer has chosen their products and started the checkout process, the app, website or staff member will offer them several delivery options. If they check out before a specific cut-off time and the retailer provides it, the customer can select same-day delivery.
2. The Products Are Ready for Order Fulfilment
Businesses can only offer customers SDD if their suppliers offer it or if they keep their merchandise in a warehouse or store nearby. Once the products have arrived from the supplier or are ready for sale, staff can prepare them for delivery.
3. The Order Is Picked, Packed and Processed
Warehouse workers prioritize SDD orders during processing. They select the required products, package them appropriately and label each parcel as a priority delivery. Staff weigh and measure packages to calculate delivery costs and then strategically load them into the courier vehicle.
4. Products Reach Their Next Transfer Point
If the products are traveling long distances or require special treatment like careful temperature control or security, they may travel from a regional to a local distribution center. Handlers should ideally transfer goods directly from incoming to outgoing vehicles, known as cross-docking.
5. The Courier Delivers the Order to the Customer
Once workers finish loading the delivery vehicle, products begin their last mile. Route optimization allows same-day couriers to reach customers via the quickest path. Smart delivery sequence loading ensures packages are easily accessible — staff will stack them according to who receives their deliveries first.
Benefits of Same-Day Delivery for Businesses
Since the e-commerce market has diversified and grown rapidly since the COVID-19 pandemic, online wholesale and retail have become extremely competitive. When complemented with a transparent courier tracking system and excellent product quality, SDD elevates businesses of any size. If your business gets same-day delivery right, you can enjoy several benefits.
1. Quick Delivery Options Increase Revenue
Quick delivery is surging in popularity across all age groups. Market research reveals that customers were willing to pay 9% of their total order price for 2-hour delivery in 2024, a rise from 6% in 2023. Same-day delivery can also drive sales by supporting impulse purchases and preventing abandoned carts.
2. Prompt Service Drives Customer Loyalty
Efficient delivery nurtures a good brand image, encourages repeat purchases and lets customers know you care about their satisfaction. You can enhance brand recognition and impress customers further if you use an employee-model courier service — that way, handlers can wear your branded uniforms during delivery.
3. Same-Day Delivery Outperforms Slower Competitors
Customers who choose SSD need service fast, and many will gladly switch brands if their first choice can’t accommodate them. You can gain new customers from competitors who haven’t adapted, and you can gain repeat customers if your business offers expedited delivery.
4. Logistics Are Optimized for All Deliveries
When you adopt same-day delivery, your operations get a makeover to meet the tight deadlines. This efficiency boost often includes optimizing warehouse and tracking processes and partnering with expert third-party logistics companies. These improvements benefit other deliveries, too.
How Can Same-Day Delivery Technology Solve SDD Challenges?
While same-day delivery carries many benefits, businesses must overcome a few pivotal challenges to implement it effectively. These challenges range from logistical hurdles to technological requirements and customer expectations. Fortunately, same-day delivery technology is growing rapidly and can make the process far more streamlined.
Optimizing Warehouse Location and Proximity to Customers
Warehouses and distribution centers are moving closer to urban hot spots so they can provide quick delivery in high-demand areas. If your business stores its products far from your customer base and you need to shorten your last mile:
- Consider pooled fulfillment and ship-from-store methods: You can use your existing brick-and-mortar stores or strategically located fulfillment centers as mini-warehouses to satisfy SDD orders. You can then use warehouse management software to oversee inventory across multiple locations and track order fulfillment in real time.
- Use forward-thinking local B2B logistics services: Leading courier companies employ fleet management software to track vehicles, optimize delivery routes and monitor their drivers’ performance, keeping your deliveries on time and within budget.
Streamlining Picking, Packing and Processing
The entire supply chain needs to speed up to achieve same-day delivery, from supplier shipping to parcel preparation at the warehouse. Luckily, there’s a growing list of technological solutions to efficient order processing:
- Leverage robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT): Interconnected autonomous mobile robots automate warehouse processes using artificial intelligence (AI), sensors and other technology, greatly reducing manual labor, improving accuracy and speeding up processing.
- Prioritize omnichannel customer service: Omnichannel systems integrate all customer service channels, like physical stores, smartphone apps, websites and online storefronts, into a single platform. This all-in-one approach helps you accurately track overall stock levels so you can reliably inform customers which goods are still available.
Managing Fast-Paced Logistics Records
Maintaining accurate audit trails for merchandise can be challenging even before the added time crunch of same-day delivery. To stay informed, transparent and in control while moving products at an impressive pace:
- Use real-time tracking solutions: GPS and radio-frequency identification (RFID) technologies let you remotely track and trace goods as they move from node to node. This visibility helps you accurately document product journeys and quickly identify bottlenecks in the supply chain.
- Introduce AI and automation: AI software can streamline data entry, record-keeping and reporting so your business can process large volumes of data, reduce errors, speed up administration and free up valuable human capital.
Balancing New Costs With Return on Investment
Make educated planning and purchasing decisions during your SDD adoption so that your initial purchases are cost-effective and the investment pays off long-term:
- Outsource vehicles and drivers: Instead of purchasing your own fleet of delivery vehicles and onboarding drivers, use a third-party logistics partner that offers customizable same-day delivery services. Outsourcing keeps your delivery capabilities flexible, scalable and cost-effective.
- Use optimized routes and smart pickup points: Transportation management systems and delivery optimization software help reduce fuel consumption and travel distances, saving you time and money. You can use them yourself or hire a courier company that offers intelligent routing and dispatch solutions.
Get Industry-Leading Same-Day Delivery With ExpressIt
If you’re ready to satisfy more customers and adopt same-day delivery, save your business time, money and resources by partnering with ExpressIt Delivery, an industry-leading third-party logistics company dedicated to innovation and driving results for a variety of general and specialized industries.
At ExpressIt, we offer forward-thinking, adaptable courier solutions specially designed for your unique needs anywhere along the supply chain. Our convenient employee model ensures reliable, professional service, allowing your brand to shine in front of customers. Get a quick and easy online quote to learn how ExpressIt can optimize your logistics and enhance your bottom line.
