October 18 2007
InternetRetailingNL
The sudden collapse of Amtrak is sobering; online retail is going great guns, but most of us have to get our goods to our customers using a carrier. They're operating in a commodity market that's led by price, and there will always be downward pressure on their margins. It's always going to be tough to be in the delivery business, even if (or when?) the whole country eventually buys everything over the net.
But does it have to be that way? Isn't there an opportunity here to build a branded carrier network, something that can add value and lay out demonstrable and desirable benefits for both senders and recipients. A carrier that, in short, a customer might pay a premium to use?
There's so much detail on our sites these days, and usually a whole section devoted to the intricacies of shipping, but rarely a mention of what carrier is used. There's a business opportunity here — and if you move fast I think I know where you might be able to pick up a couple of thousand pre-loved vans...
Sarah Clark, Web editor
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