UK retailers turn to dropship fulfilment in record numbers throughout November
Virtualstock, the technology company that provides supply chain solutions for leading UK retailers such as Argos Sainsbury’s, Dixons Carphone, Kingfisher plc and John Lewis & Partners, reported increased orders on its dropship platform as retailers used it to meet surging online demand all through November, as Black Friday Weekend saw a decrease in relative importance.
Dropship enables retailers to fulfil spikes in demand by accessing suppliers who fulfil orders directly with customers. It can also be used to rapidly ramp up and extend product categories online and plug any gaps in inventory.
2020 saw 40% and 37% year-on-year growth in order volumes in the two weekends (13-16 and 20-23 November) leading up to Black Friday Weekend, but only a 33% annual growth in orders on Black Friday Weekend itself. The two weekends before Black Friday 2020 had 24% and 15% more orders than Black Friday Weekend 2019 respectively – evidence that e-commerce has grown vastly due to the pandemic.
The increase to order volumes throughout November reflects a year in which the structural shift to e-commerce has been greatly accelerated as a result of Covid.
Consumer purchases this Black Friday Weekend mirrored the trends we have seen throughout 2020. 3-in-1 sandwich makers, air fryers, and microwaves were all in among the most ordered products as more people were forced into cooking and eating at home more regularly, while computer monitors and coffee makers reflected the sharp rise in home offices due to the pandemic.
Ed Bradley, Founder and Director of Virtualstock, commented:
“We are delighted to have played a critical role during the pre-Christmas and Black Friday period, helping retailers meet surging demand for various products. This year has seen e-commerce growing stronger as the pandemic has thrust it into the limelight as the primary way in which many people now shop. November has been no different as we saw a huge rise in orders, despite many retailers investing less in marketing this year than previous ones. We expect dropship to be a crucial feature of e-commerce into 2021 and beyond.”
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