Online shopping: Quebecers value fast delivery

Quebecers are keen on their delivery, a survey indicates, a few weeks before the end-of-year rush of Black Friday and Christmas.

“People want to receive their packages at home, even if there is a lot of theft,” notes Damien Silès, director of the Quebec Retail Council (CQCD).

Six out of ten Quebecers have made an online purchase in the last month, while one in five have already had a package stolen from their door, indicates the CQCD’s August barometer, a survey which will be released public shortly.

The giant Amazon still ranks first for online sales in Quebec, indicates the study, with 85% of consumers having made a purchase on Jeff Bezos’ site over the last three months.

The vast majority of Quebec customers want to receive their delivery in less than 5 days: for 79% of them, this is the maximum time.

Costly returns

Even if environmental issues are at the heart of the concerns of the youngest, they are the ones who most often give feedback, which surprises Damien Silès.

“Almost no one does it except 18- to 24-year-olds,” he says of the act of putting merchandise back in its box and returning it to its sender.

Only 7% of customers return the goods regularly, indicates the barometer, compared to 19% among young people.

More than nine in ten customers consider it important that a retailer offers free returns.

Lower the price

In the end, retailers are ready to face the end-of-year rush, assures Damien Silès.

He highlights the CQCD initiative, Envoi Québec, which would have enabled 2,000 retailers in Quebec to send 1.7 million packages over the past three years.

“It’s a system that allows businesses to pool delivery resources to reduce costs,” he says.