The Friday Report: June 7th, 2019

Target Tempts Shoppers with Same-Day Delivery

Target now offers same-day delivery service in 47 U.S. States, facilitated by the Shipt same-day delivery platform.  Although a Shipt account is no longer required, the service costs $9.99 per order or a $99 annual membership fee.

Customers can order 65,000 products for same day delivery using the Target.com website now and the option will be added to the Target app prior to peak season.  Harnessing its retail stores to facilitate e-commerce order fulfillment, last mile delivery providers including Shipt, Roadie and Deliv enable the same day orders.  Target credits over half of its digital sales growth to same day delivery options including Shipt, pick-up and drive-up orders.

Changing Chocolate Consumer Tastes Crave Ruby Chocolate

One of the world’s largest cocoa producers and grinders, Barry Callebaut AG views supply chocolate directly to consumer brands to be an essential driver of the company’s U.S. growth.  One of every four cocoa beans sold in the world is purchased by Barry Callebaut AG.  In addition, the Zurich-based company launched its ruby chocolate in both Canada and the United States this month, hoping to take advantage of changing consumer tastes.  The product is popular in both Asia and Europe.

Barry Callebaut AG announced the invention of ruby chocolate in 2017, revealing the first-of-its kind product to be naturally pink and berry-flavored. 

The innovation was designed to take advantage of the changing tastes of consumers, primarily millennials who eschew sugar and show a preference for sustainably-sourced goods.  The company also manufactures the dairy-free chocolate that was adopted by Unilever for use in its vegan Magnum ice cream line.

The ruby beans originate in Ecuador, Brazil and the Ivory Coast.

Crowdsourced Delivery Helps Solve Urban Last Mile Challenges

Urban areas present specialized challenges for last mile delivery efforts.  Between traffic congestion, lack of available parking and the need to make deliveries up flights of stairs, delivery delays occur and lead to inefficiencies.

Businesses which offer last mile delivery benefit from using technology to reduce these inefficiencies, enhance delivery time and keep costs under control.  Currently technologies exist to help with shipment traceability and tracking, transportation routing, order management systems and payment processing.  Of these, route optimization may have the biggest impact on last mile delivery operations.

For more information, continue reading here.