Beyond Food Delivery: Third Party Delivery Services for All Industries

by | Dec 22, 2022 | Blog, Delivery Network

The explosive growth of third-party delivery services is revolutionizing how we shop and receive goods. Initially developed to deliver prepared food directly from restaurants, third-party delivery services are now being leveraged for a variety of industries, providing convenience and efficiency to customers everywhere. From grocery items and laundry services to retail purchases, third-party companies are changing the way people shop and receive goods.

What Are Third-Party Delivery Services and How Do They Work?

Third-party delivery services are outsourced companies that provide deliveries to businesses and their customers by delivering goods from one location to another. In essence, these third-party companies act as middlemen between businesses and customers, handling the logistics of delivery. These services are often partnered with a variety of businesses, allowing customers to shop at one location but receive goods from another. By utilizing third-party companies for deliveries, businesses can offer their customers convenience and access to products not available at local stores.

History of Third-Party Delivery

Third-party delivery services started off in the restaurant industry, as third-party operators sought to connect customers with local restaurants they otherwise wouldn’t be able to serve. Companies like GrubHub and DoorDash revolutionized the way people order, pay for, and receive their food. Soon after, companies began offering third-party delivery services for a variety of other industries, providing customers with convenience and efficiency.

Some of the most prominent third-party delivery services are Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Roadie, and Curri. These third-party companies provide businesses with a fulfillment process that is both fast and efficient. Additionally, these third-party companies offer customers an easy way to receive goods from a variety of sources.

List of Delivery Network provider logos

Industries Impacted the Most & Why

Third-party delivery services are having a particularly profound impact on the food service, retail, and grocery industries. By connecting customers to restaurants and stores within their local area, third-party delivery services are providing an easy way for people to order takeout from their favorite establishments without ever leaving home. Similarly, third-party delivery services have enabled online retailers to offer same-day shipping, making it possible for customers to receive their purchases in a matter of hours. In the grocery industry, third-party delivery services are providing customers with a convenient way to have groceries and other household essentials delivered directly to their doorsteps.

In the laundry industry, third-party companies offer customers a convenient way to have their clothes washed and delivered right to their doorsteps. Similarly, third-party delivery services are being used in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries for delivering medical supplies and medications directly to patients’ homes. Moreover, third-party companies are being used by car part distributors to deliver parts quickly and efficiently.

These services provide convenience and efficiency that is unmatched by traditional methods of shopping, creating a win-win situation for both the customer and business. Customers gain access to a larger selection of products while also enjoying added convenience. For businesses, third-party delivery services increase visibility and drive more sales by providing customers with easy access to their goods and services.

The rise of third-party delivery services has also been beneficial to the environment. These services have enabled more people to shop online, reducing the amount of gas and emissions associated with physical shopping trips. By leveraging third-party delivery services for their goods and services, businesses are also able to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing transportation costs.

Overall, third-party delivery services have revolutionized the way we shop and receive goods. By providing an easy-to-use service that is both convenient and efficient, third-party delivery services are transforming industries across the board.

Why Third-Party Delivery Services Are Great for Any & All Industries

Third-party delivery services are great for any industry because the convenience they bring to the food industry is still desired and can be appreciated by customers in any other industry. In addition, it expands business opportunities. By partnering with third-party companies, businesses can offer their customers access to a variety of products from other locations without having to establish physical stores in those areas. These services allow businesses to quickly expand their reach and offer customers more opportune ways to receive orders, which in turn improves customer satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, third-party delivery services can help reduce operational costs by taking care of order fulfillment duties that would otherwise require additional resources.

The retail industry is one of the most prominent examples of how third-party delivery services can be used outside of food delivery. Many retailers use these services to ship their products directly to customers, often offering same-day or next-day delivery. This means that customers can get their purchases quickly, without having to leave their homes.

Streamlining last mile delivery, delivery network advertisement

The pharmaceutical industry is another example of how third-party delivery services are being used. The market for third-party logistics for the global biopharmaceutical industry was estimated at USD 117.25 billion in 2021, and it is anticipated to reach USD 195.75 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.86% from 2022 to 2030. Pharmacies and drug stores can use these services to deliver medications and other products directly to customers, ensuring the safety and quality of the goods. This can be especially helpful for those who may have difficulty getting to a physical store due to age or disability.

Florists are also beginning to use third-party delivery services. Flowers have traditionally been delivered through postal services or courier companies, but these can often be unreliable and expensive. By contracting with a third-party delivery service, florists can ensure that their customers receive their orders on time and in perfect condition.

In conclusion, third-party delivery services are becoming increasingly popular for businesses of all sizes across many different industries. These services can provide a cost-effective and reliable way to get products to customers quickly, leading to improved customer satisfaction. Whether you run a restaurant or an online store, third-party delivery is worth considering as a way to increase sales and boost customer loyalty.

Benefits of Third-Party Delivery Services

Third-party delivery services offer numerous advantages to business owners in any industry. Some of the primary benefits include:

On-Demand Delivery

On-demand delivery is considered the fastest type of delivery– even faster than same-day. Essentially, it allows packages to be delivered within hours of ordering. By partnering with third-party delivery companies, business owners can easily offer their local customers on-demand delivery services. This is especially convenient to their customers who may not have time to visit a physical store.

Easing Driver Shortages

Driver shortages are impacting every industry. According to the American Trucking Association, the truck driver shortage was estimated to reach a historic high of slightly over 80,000 drivers in 2021. Experts are concerned that if current trends continue, the trucking industry will require more than 160,000 drivers by 2030.

Partnering with third-party delivery companies also allows businesses to reduce the number of employees they need to maintain their own fleets. This can be especially helpful for businesses that may not have the resources or ability to sustain a fleet of their own. Third-party delivery services can also be a nice addition to a business’s own fleet for priority deliveries or times when drivers may get sick.

Cost Savings

Third-party delivery services can often be more cost-effective than setting up and maintaining your own fleet of drivers. Rather than having to commit the resources necessary to maintain a fleet, third-party companies can take care of logistics and order fulfillment duties that would otherwise require additional resources. Additionally, third-party companies often have access to more efficient routes, meaning that orders can be delivered faster and with less fuel than than an in-house fleet might be able to.

Flexibility

Third-party delivery services provide businesses with the flexibility to adjust their operations according to demand. This means that businesses can quickly add or remove capacity depending on the needs of their customers at any given time.

Improved Customer Satisfaction

Lastly, third-party delivery services can be a great way to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Customers are often more likely to purchase from businesses that offer them convenient and reliable delivery options. According to research, half of online shoppers abandon a purchase if they do not have the delivery options they desire.

In conclusion, third-party delivery services offer many advantages to businesses of all sizes in any industry. With the right third-party delivery service, businesses can easily take advantage of the benefits these services have to offer.

Don’t Get Stuck With a Single Provider– Access & Compare Them All!

Rather than relying on a single provider to deliver goods, a delivery network offers users the ability to choose from multiple providers. This lets customers compare prices and services side-by-side, allowing them to make informed decisions when selecting a third-party partner. By joining a third-party delivery network, customers will have access to a wide range of third-party delivery services, all in one place. This eliminates the need to individually contact each provider and allows customers to quickly find and compare different services. This not only ensures the customer is completely satisfied and in control of their delivery service, it also protects businesses from getting stuck in a disadvantageous partnership.

Additionally, a delivery network provides businesses with access to the latest technology, enabling them to track orders and take advantage of other features that third-party delivery services may offer.

Benefits of a Delivery Network (in Comparison to a Partnership)

delivery network provides businesses with access to a variety of third-party services. As mentioned above, the biggest of those advantages being able to access multiple providers in one place. By joining a third-party network, you can quickly compare prices and offers from various companies instead of just being limited to one provider. This ensures customers have more options available, helping them find the best deal for their needs. Additionally, a delivery network can offer more competitive rates than traditional partnerships since they have access to a larger customer base.

A delivery network also allows businesses to optimize their operations by quickly scaling up or down depending on their needs. This ensures that businesses can quickly adjust to changes in customer demand and ensure that orders are fulfilled efficiently.

Finally, third-party delivery networks are often able to provide faster and more reliable deliveries due to their wide network of vendors. This ensures that customers receive their orders quickly and reliably with minimal hassle.

Overall, third-party delivery services provide customers with more options, competitive rates, and reliable and convenient delivery services. By joining a third-party network, you can access multiple providers in one place and quickly compare prices and offers to find the best value for your needs.

How Will Third-Party Delivery Services Continue to Grow and Evolve in the Future?

The third-party delivery services industry is constantly changing and evolving as technology advances. The retail delivery market is anticipated to increase at a rate of 17.49% per year (CAGR 2022-2027), with a predicted market size of US$791.80 billion by 2027. As customer demand for on-demand, fast, and reliable delivery continues to grow, businesses will continue to look for third-party solutions that meet their needs.

Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are being used to make third-party delivery services more efficient and cost-effective. AI can be used to automate tedious tasks such as order tracking and route optimization, allowing businesses to save time and money while providing customers with a seamless experience.

In addition, the growing popularity of drones has opened up new opportunities for third-party delivery services. By using drone technology, third-party delivery services can quickly and reliably deliver packages over long distances with minimal effort.

Finally, the increasing use of blockchain technology is also paving the way for third-party delivery services to become more secure by providing an immutable record of every transaction. This can help ensure that third-party delivery services are transparent and secure while also improving customer trust.

Elite EXTRAs’ Third-Party Delivery Network

Elite EXTRAs’ third-party Delivery Network allows businesses to access millions of delivery drivers across the country. By joining Elite EXTRAs’ delivery network, you can easily compare prices and offers from various third-party services and find the best deal that fits your needs. With access to the best third-party providers, competitive rates, and reliable and convenient delivery services, you can rest assured that your orders will arrive on time and without any hassle. Get started today and unlock the full potential of third-party delivery services!

Sources

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/trucking-industry-now-short-80000-drivers

https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/online-food-delivery/grocery-delivery/retail-delivery/worldwide

https://www.globenewswire.com/

https://www.foodlogistics.com/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/half-of-online-shoppers-abandon-a-purchase-if-they-cant-get-the-delivery-choices-they-want-according-to-new-research-657415773.html

https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/online-food-delivery/grocery-delivery/retail-delivery/worldwide

Susan Marcott

Susan Marcott

Author

Susan is the Executive Vice President, Chief People and Project Officer, and all-around master of everything at Elite EXTRA. Susan enjoys spending time with her two daughters and relaxing with wine - a lot. Susan had dreams of becoming a famous journalist like Lois Lane but instead uses her Super Organized superpower to help keep everyone on task and in line.

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