Software solution makes things easier for e-tailers

software solution

A new software solution makes it easier for e-tailers to meet the needs of online shoppers by enabling them to give consumers more flexibility and control over package deliveries. The application, which provides better visibility of Access Point locations, has been developed by UPS and HubBox.

As e-commerce continues to surge in popularity, today’s busy online shoppers want deliveries made on their terms. They expect packages to arrive securely when and where they want – and if they aren’t going to be home for the delivery, they want a safe alternative.

E-tailers need a way to address this growing consumer need, according to UPS and HubBox, which is why the two companies have teamed up to create an easy-to-use and easy-to-implement application that makes UPS Access Point locations in the USA and Europe visible in the online checkout process.

Convenient alternative to home delivery

HubBox’s software is easily integrated with most major e-commerce platforms, including Shopify and Magento, enabling retailers to incorporate the ‘ship to a UPS Access Point location’ service into their website as a convenient alternative to home delivery. In addition, HubBox can connect to common label printing solutions in order to streamline the label printing process. This solution helps businesses of all sizes that don’t have the IT resources or in-house knowledge to develop these capabilities.

Avoiding failed deliveries

According to a recent UPS survey, one in five shoppers prefer an alternative delivery location to a home delivery. Moreover, retailers that offer alternative delivery options can charge reduced (non-residential) shipping rates and avoid the inconvenience of failed deliveries. HubBox gives consumers the option of shipping to more than 17,000 UPS Access Point locations in Europe and more than 21,000 locations in the USA.

Incidentally, the Swiss company LuckaBox, which won SCM’s European Supply Chain Start-up Contest in 2018, offers a service similar to HubBox for major cities in Switzerland, southern Germany and Austria. It plans to further expand its coverage in the near future, including the likes of Amsterdam.