Delivery choice to fuel eCommerce and retail industry growth

New research1 commissioned by HUBBED has revealed the retail and eCommerce industry is exposing itself to substantial loss in online sales due to a growing divide between consumer delivery expectations and current options.

Australians’ increasing appetite for online sales saw nearly $56 billion in online retail over the last 12 months to May, which accounts for around 14.7 per cent of the nation’s total retail trade estimate2.

While these figures are positive overall, research shows the industry is not maximising online sales potential, with 90 per cent of respondents saying they abandoned a cart due to high shipping costs and 64 per cent saying lack of

Returns are also a factor given that almost three quarters (71 per cent) of shoppers say they have returned an item they have bought online.

David McLean, the Founder and CEO of HUBBED, said while these figures were generally positive, they also highlighted a missed sales opportunity.

“Consumers are demanding more convenient, secure and sustainable delivery and return choices. For retailers, the message is clear: If you want to enhance the customer experience, negate cart abandonment, and generate repeat purchases, you must provide consumers with greater choice and control,” David said.

There are typically around eight ways consumers can pay online. But most retailers only offer two ways to deliver and return items: fast or slow

security was a purchase deterrent.

HUBBED’s innovative Pick-Up Drop-Off (PUDO) model provides retailers, carriers and consumers with an alternative to the high-cost and environmentally unfriendly traditional home delivery model. Its proprietary technology is customer agnostic and integrates with carriers, aggregators, marketplaces and other eCommerce platforms.

HUBBED’s PUDO network enables customers to receive parcels from a designated collection point across more than 2,200 convenient locations nationally, including outlets such as local BP service stations, National Storage and independent retailers.

The research revealed that almost all consumers (91 per cent) made an online purchase within the lead-up to Christmas (79 per cent). End of financial year sales are the second most popular period for online shopping (58 per cent), followed by click frenzy (55 per cent) and Black Friday (52 per cent) sales.

“There are typically around eight ways consumers can pay online. But most retailers only offer two ways to deliver and return items: fast or slow. It’s time for all retailers, both big and small, to offer a more nuanced and sophisticated delivery option that exceeds customer expectations.”

HUBBED has recently received a $12 million investment from the Australian Business Growth Fund to scale up collection points to 3,000 nationwide and expand the magnitude of collections services for its customers and partners.

HUBBED’s consumer collections network is being utilised by key local and global carriers, including Couriers Please, DHL, eBay, FedEx, Sendle, TOLL, TNT, and UPS. 1 Data for this report was sourced from more than 2500 Australian online shoppers in May 2022. 2 NAB’s most recent online index as cited in https://www.afr.com/technology/ online-shopping-a-56b-lure-forbusinesses-20220719- p5b2x0

Applications open for timber from the historic One Mile Jetty

Timber salvaged from the $4.2 million partial deconstruction of the historic One Mile Jetty at Carnarvon is now available to individuals, groups and businesses seeking to repurpose it for use in the local community, and elsewhere.

The jetty suffered significant damage during last year's Tropical Cyclone Seroja, resulting in a recommendation to remove all but the first 400 metres of the structure due to the risk to safe navigation.

Since the Department of Transport (DoT) completed the partial deconstruction of the jetty late last year, approximately 900 tonnes of salvaged timber have been assessed, sized and graded for appropriate reuse in the community.

The process for allocation of timber begins with an application which will be assessed by a panel consisting of the custodian of the jetty, the Carnarvon Heritage Group, the Shire of Carnarvon, Gascoyne Development Commission and DoT.

The timber will be gifted to projects with a demonstrated community benefit, and made available to others for sale with prices based on size and condition. The funds from the sale of the salvaged timber will be managed by the Carnarvon Heritage Group and used for the future repair and refurbishment of the remaining jetty.

The McGowan Government has committed $4.5 million towards rebuilding and reopening the One Mile Jetty, with community consultation continuing on the design and work underway to assess the structural integrity of the remaining pylons.

It is expected some of the salvaged timber will be used in the redevelopment project. To apply for timber, or find out more about the project visit https://www. transport.wa.gov.au/projects/carnarvonone-mile-jetty.asp

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said, "The One Mile Jetty plays such a central role in the history of Carnarvon, and this is a unique opportunity for the community to give new life to that remarkable heritage. "We are examining how some of the timber can be used in the redevelopment of the jetty site, to ensure heritage is at the heart of the project."