British same-day provider CitySprint has launched a new service ‘On the dot’ for consumers in London offering a one-hour delivery time slot for their online or in-store purchases at a cost of £6.95 per delivery.
With On the dot ‘point-to-point’ service, customers can choose the one-hour time window and the delivery date that suits them the most, whether it’s today, next day or next week. They can shop for items at local stores, over the phone or online using the Click & Collect option available at the respective shop and decide where they want their items to be delivered – whether it is at home, work, store collection points or any other address. The one-hour delivery slot can be specified via www.onthedot.co.uk and a respective app that will be released soon.
Once the order has been placed, the CitySprint courier will make the delivery, which includes notification via SMS and e-mail as well as GPS tracking. After On the dot driver has collected the order, the recipients can thus live track it from the collection point to their front door or another alternative address.
In case the parcel doesn’t arrive within the chosen one-hour time window, the customer’s next delivery will be free of charge. While a regular single delivery costs £6.95, consumers have the option of choosing a so called ‘small bundle’ for five deliveries at a cost of £25.00 which reduces the price for a single delivery to £5.00. If purchasing the ‘big bundle’ for eight deliveries for £36, customers can even save more money paying only £4.50 per delivery. Both ‘bundle’ offers need to be used within six months after purchase, otherwise they expire.
CitySprint explained that On the dot will allow small and independent retailers to benefit from delivery service normally reserved for bigger players, while giving Londoners convenient access to their favourite boutique stores at a time that suits them. After the initial launch in London, the company plans to roll out the service across the country.
Patrick Gallagher, CitySprint CEO, commented: “Anyone in the industry will tell you that consumer convenience is the most important consideration in online retail. In fact, it is an increasing point of difference. On the dot helps consumers build a unique retail experience around their own needs and gives retailers an opportunity to offer the ultimate convenience to their customers.
“According to IMRG, online delivery failure is expected to have cost retailers, carriers and consumers £473m in 2014 and retailers are risking considerable brand damage. On the dot allows retailers to protect their reputation and build customer loyalty by giving customers time to focus on the things that really matter to them,” he added.
