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How to Choose the Best UK Delivery Service for Your Business

An overview of courier services in the United Kingdom, highlighting the importance of selecting the right courier service for businesses by considering their specific needs.

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Today, demand for courier services in the United Kingdom is higher than it has ever been, with a projected 23 percent market increase in 2020, the largest in more than five years. With the Covid pandemic making it difficult for customers and businesses to interact as websites replace storefronts, all businesses require affordable and dependable delivery services. Getting your product to the customer as quickly as possible is critical for any business, whether it’s a restaurant, a clothing line, a jeweller, or a bookstore.

There are a few things to consider before selecting a courier service for your company. Do you need to ship large packages or deliver food? Do you deliver locally, nationally, or internationally? Do you need expedited delivery or bulk transportation? To make the best decision for your company, you must first understand your requirements.

Finally, it’s critical to comprehend your company’s priorities, which include time, safety, money, and long-term viability. You can start looking into the different delivery services that best suit your company once you have a good understanding of all your needs. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list to assist you in making the best decision possible.

Parcel Delivery

Royal Mail

Royal Mail was voted the best choice for small business delivery services in 2019. It is used as a primary shopping option by over 37 of the UK’s top 100 online retailers, in addition to providing cheap and reliable services. With a focus on Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. guarantees for domestic delivery the next working day, it’s easy to see why they’re consistently voted the best option. They also have 23,000 parcel pick-up locations across the country, focusing primarily on UK delivery but also offering export services.

Parcelforce, a Royal Mail trading name, specializes in deliveries to and within Europe. They provide a quick, simple service with consistent delivery times, making them an excellent choice for any company looking to combine national and international services.

Hermes

Hermes, as the most widely used parcel delivery service for the UK’s top 100 online retailers, provides fast and convenient delivery to any company. It’s easy to see why most online retailers choose Hermes, with next-day and stated-day delivery options and over 40,000 pick-up points across the UK. Furthermore, the company has set a goal of providing emission-free delivery by 2025, making it an excellent option for environmentally conscious companies.

DPD

DPD is a great service for anyone looking to expand internationally, with a strong focus on delivering parcels across Europe. They provide a quick and easy service with 22,000 pick-up points across the country. Companies that want to be more environmentally conscious can buy carbon credits to offset their carbon emissions. Although they may not be the first choice for national deliveries, they are an excellent option for any international company looking to grow and perform.

DHL

DHL, a global delivery powerhouse, combines German logistics with low-cost, quick delivery. Many companies around the world rely on them because they place a strong emphasis on next-day delivery. Your company can focus on clients from all over the world if it has a well-known international focus. They offer a variety of environmentally friendly options to suit your needs, such as biodegradable packaging, carbon-efficient freight, and energy-saving warehousing, for the environmentally conscious.

Food Delivery

There are many delivery services tailored to your needs if your business focuses on food delivery. The food delivery industry has exploded in the last year, from local services to international corporations. The options available can provide you with everything you need to get your food to your customers quickly, thanks to Covid forcing companies to adapt to healthier, safer, and contamination-free conditions. Below is a list of some of the fantastic options available.

Deliveroo

Deliveroo allows your business to get your food to customers in the best possible condition thanks to an easy-to-use app that includes meal time predictions. To achieve the fastest and safest times, they use local delivery drivers and cyclists equipped with insulated equipment. With a goal of delivering food within 30 minutes around the clock, it’s easy to see why they’re one of the most popular food delivery services.

FEAST

Customers can order food from local restaurants quickly and reliably through FEAST, which operates in the London area. FEAST is able to make their service efficient and affordable by focusing on the London area. Their service provides an authentic London experience for both companies and customers, with intimate traffic knowledge and familiarity with local business.
a single shipment

One Delivery

One Delivery has managed to become one of the UK’s top food delivery services in just their fourth year of operation. They have streamlined their services by working closely with big chains like McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King, and operating in over 65 major cities.

Foodhub

Foodhub is different from the rest in that it does not charge customers for delivery. They also partner with over 20,000 restaurants to provide discounts and special offers to their customers. If you own a local restaurant, Foodhub can help you connect with your customers in new ways.

Find Your Delivery Solution

Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, a restaurant or a general merchandise store, the right delivery service can help your company grow. You can rest assured that your product will be delivered safely, securely, and on time in the ever-changing world of Covid precautions and route optimization becoming paramount for all delivery services.

If you’re looking to run your own fleet and save money, EasyRoutes is the best solution to manage your deliveries.

EasyRoutes is a delivery route planner app for local deliveries that makes it simple to plan a route. You can then take your routes and share them with drivers, or you can deliver them yourself using our mobile-friendly driver mode.

Shopify and your store’s orders are seamlessly integrated with EasyRoutes. You won’t have to waste time exporting and importing spreadsheets anymore. Simply select the orders you want to deliver, and EasyRoutes will calculate the most cost-effective delivery route.

Find EasyRoutes on the Shopify App Store

About Roundtrip

Roundtrip's mission is to equip every business with the software tools they need to deliver products to their customers in a delightful way. Thousands of worldwide choose EasyRoutes to power their local deliveries across dozens of product categories, from meal kits and groceries to coffee, cupcakes, kibble, and so much more. Our easy-to-use route planning and delivery optimization app is certified Built for Shopify, a two-time Shopify staff pick, and the top rated local delivery app on the Shopify App Store.

"I am genuinely very impressed with this app and recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their customer delivery experience. It has cut down our delivery emails by 99%."
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