Shipping: Dimension-based pricing presents new challenges for retailers

[mandy]

No matter how wonderful retail e-commerce sites become—and they have come a long way in the past 10 years—they’re only as good as their ability to deliver the goods to customers. And just as consumers expect more of web sites the better e-commerce gets, they’re also expecting more and better options in delivery service.

But though retailers have more options than ever before for delivering goods, they’re also facing new challenges—like a new rate structure from the U.S. Postal Service based on the shape and size of packages...

In addition to the trend toward dimension pricing, retailers are facing more pressure from customers for more delivery options. Some delivery companies including FedEx, Velocity Express, NVC Logistics Group and Yellow Transportation Inc. offer delivery to homes during particular time windows, and most offer web-based systems to manage the outgoing flow of shipments as well as the ability to track shipments online.

“Time-specific delivery is definitely a growing trend,”...

full article: http://www.internetretailer.com/article.asp?id=23601