5 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Single-Carrier Delivery Model

Warehouse team member on computer

As your eCommerce business grows, so do your delivery needs. What worked for you as a startup may not be sufficient to meet the demands of a scaling business. Relying on a single carrier can create limitations that impact customer satisfaction, operational efficiency and your bottom line. With the UK eCommerce market hitting a record $128 billion in 2024, providing a seamless delivery experience is more critical than ever.

So, how do you know when it’s time to move beyond a single-carrier model? Here are five key signs that you’ve outgrown your current setup and why a managed multi-carrier solution could be the answer.

Online checkout

1. Your Delivery Options are Too Limited

Today’s online shoppers expect choice and convenience. If you’re only offering a single, standard delivery option, you’re likely falling short of customer expectations. Research from GFS and Retail Economics found that a staggering £38 billion in sales are lost annually due to a lack of delivery options at checkout. The same study revealed that while 83% of retailers believe they offer a wide range of delivery options, only 48% of consumers agree.

Modern consumers want flexibility. They want to choose between next-day, nominated-day, click-and-collect, and even sustainable delivery options. If your current carrier can’t provide this variety, you risk losing customers to competitors who can. A managed multi-carrier solution like GFS gives you access to over 1,000 services, allowing you to offer a wide range of delivery options that cater to every customer’s needs.

Late Delivery

2. You’re Failing to Meet Delivery SLAs

Delivery promises are sacred in eCommerce. When you fail to meet your Service Level Agreements (SLAs), you not only disappoint customers but also damage your brand’s reputation. Shockingly, nearly 40% of UK retailers fail1 to meet their advertised delivery times. This can be especially problematic during Peak seasons such as Black Friday and Christmas when single carriers often struggle with capacity constraints.

Delivery failures are costly. UK retailers lose an estimated £1.6 billion annually due to failed deliveries. A multi-carrier approach provides a crucial safety net. If one carrier is experiencing delays or service disruptions, you can seamlessly switch to another to ensure your parcels still arrive on time. GFS’ pro-active Customer Care team even monitors your shipments and resolves issues before they impact your customers, helping you maintain a high level of service reliability.

Couriers

3. You Lack Flexibility and Scalability

As your business grows, your delivery needs will change. You might expand into new international markets, introduce new product lines with different shipping requirements or experience sudden surges in demand. A single-carrier model can be rigid and slow to adapt to these changes. You may find yourself locked into a contract that no longer serves your needs, or unable to scale your delivery operations quickly enough to meet demand.

A managed multi-carrier solution provides the flexibility and scalability you need to grow your business. With GFS, you can easily switch between carriers and services to find the most cost-effective and efficient solution for every shipment. Whether you’re shipping small parcels domestically or large items internationally, you’ll have access to a network of over 1,000 carriers to support your growth. This flexibility is key to navigating the complexities of international eCommerce and expanding your business globally.

Warehouse staff member on computer

4. In-House Carrier Management is Draining Your Resources

Managing carrier relationships, negotiating contracts and handling the day-to-day complexities of shipping can be a significant drain on your time and resources. As your business grows, you may find that your team is spending more time on logistics than on core business activities. This is a clear sign that it’s time to consider outsourcing your delivery management.

A managed multi-carrier service takes the hassle out of shipping. Instead of juggling multiple carrier relationships, you have a single point of contact and a single platform to manage all your deliveries. This simplifies your operations, reduces your administrative burden and frees up your team to focus on what they do best. With GFS’ Enterprise Carrier Management suite, you can automate everything from label printing to parcel tracking, saving you time and money.

Peak christmas delivery

5. You Struggle to Simplify Operations, Especially During Peak

Peak seasons such as Black Friday and Christmas can be a make-or-break time for eCommerce businesses. A surge in orders can put a huge strain on your delivery operations, and if you’re relying on a single carrier, you’re at risk of being overwhelmed. Capacity constraints, service disruptions and delivery delays are all common problems during Peak. These issues can lead to unhappy customers, negative reviews and lost sales.

A managed multi-carrier solution can help you navigate the challenges of Peak season with ease. With access to a network of over 1,000 carriers, you can spread your volume across multiple providers to avoid capacity issues and ensure your parcels are delivered on time. GFS also provides expert support and contingency planning to help you prepare for Peak and manage any unexpected disruptions. This pro-active approach to delivery management can help you turn Peak season into a major success for your business.

GFS Can Help You to Break Free from Single-Carrier Limitations

The signs are clear: limited delivery options, missed SLAs, inflexibility, resource drain and Peak season struggles all point to one thing – your single-carrier model is holding you back. With UK retailers losing £38 billion annually due to delivery-related issues, the cost of inaction is too high to ignore.

GFS transforms these pain points into competitive advantages through our managed multi-carrier services. From 1,000+ delivery options to pro-active customer care, we turn delivery complexity into simplicity. Contact GFS today for a free delivery audit and discover how we can help you scale smarter, not harder.