Couriering your goods and parcels the same day – key considerations
Every now and again (and increasingly so in the current day) there is the requirement to send products or items, business or personal, on a given day and for it to be received that same day. Same-Day delivery has been changing the fundamental way that we shop. Same-Day offers integrate the convenience of online shopping with the immediacy of visiting a brick-and-mortar store.
Of course, this concept is nothing new - for years there have been a number of companies offering same day courier delivery, predominantly within the same city. Over time, this has grown from couriering documents (think lawyers trying to finalise business deals) to movement of personal artifacts, to where we find ourselves now, with a growing demand for same day deliveries. As the country has increased its demands on the same day courier market, luckily the infrastructure has grown with it. There is now a highly developed logistics network in place to serve this market that stretches across the length and breadth of the UK…and further!
In this section of the Knowledge Centre, we have all the details you need to know about the services a same day courier provides, what you need to consider when selecting one to trust with your possession or products, as well as providing a guide on pricing. Of course, it goes without saying that Logisto has a suitable company to assist with your requirements in the directory.
What is the definition of same day courier and what services do they provide?
Quite simply, it is the collection, transportation and final delivery of the consignment to the intended recipient or customer, on the same day! No matter what the request is (or the package to be delivered), there will be a same day courier service to suit your requirements – from planned deliveries to scheduled daily routes or last-minute deliveries (even within the hour), there is now a service out there to support your needs. As we moved from 2021 to 2022, we also saw a number of providers offering groceries same day…in fact within 20 minutes in some cities – whilst not a courier in the traditional sense, it shows just how incredibly developed the logistics networks have become!
Why choose same day delivery?
Same day delivery is for when you need to get that package to a recipient in a time critical manner, but also via a service that is both safe, secure and traceable. It is for items that are perishable, items that are highly confidential, items that are valuable or items that are just time sensitive!
Are there different types of same day delivery?
Yes, the landscape has changed significantly in recent years and there are numerous options within same day itself. Whilst all of the options will be in the same day, there are many variations within the industry:
Standard same day courier – Getting your package to its intended destination by the close of business, that day.
Express same day courier – Sometimes, same day just isn’t quick enough. For those urgent needs, there are express services, where you can have your package delivered to a specific hour. Yes, it will cost more than standard same day, but it will ensure your time sensitive package arrives when it is needed.
Secure same day courier – some companies offer enhanced security for same day delivery. Again, this will come at additional cost vs. express but it will come with additional features. Delivery will often only be accepted by a named individual, the product will be GPS tracked from origin to destination, providing a full audit trail for your package. Often the courier (who will be responsible for the full journey) will go through additional security checks to ensure the safety of your package.
Do same day couriers only operate locally?
Certainly not. Whilst there are suppliers that operate at a local level, there are also couriers that will deliver your good nationwide or even internationally (within reason!). Please see the LOGISTO directory for information on suppliers that can support you with any of these options.
What vehicles do same day courier use?
This will vary, dependent on the requirements of the journey. If it is long distance, then it will largely be the same vehicle mix that you would see with standard courier services. Where you will often see differences, is with localised deliveries, especially in cities. The mix here will often include electric vehicles, bikes and even walking couriers. Please see our section ‘Green Logistics’ for more detail on the green credentials of logistics.
What is important to consider when selecting a same day courier?
At Logisto, we believe there are a number of considerations when selecting a same day courier. These should include, but not be limited to the following:
Availability – are they able to work to your time requirements?
Booking – how do you need to book? Can you do it online or by phone?
Vehicles – Do they have the suitable vehicle for your consignment?
Insurance – are they fully insured and what is their limits of liability (what is the maximum they will pay out if your item is lost/damaged?
Tracking – Are vehicles tracked and can you follow the progress of your courier?
Proof of delivery – do you receive immediate electronic proof of delivery?
Sustainability – are you able to select the preference with regard vehicle type?
Driver checks – are the drivers ADR trained and do they receive background checks etc?
How much would you expect to pay for same day courier services?
Of course, this is a difficult question to answer as it will depend on the product being delivered, the time frame for delivery and the manor of delivery. We recommend that you visit the Logisto Directory to find suppliers and comparison websites that can provide you with the latest prices for the same day service that supports your requirements.
Within the LOGISTO Directory, we have detailed suppliers that operate at both a local, national and international level, giving you the details of the suppliers you need in order to fulfil your requirements.
If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to reach out to someone in the team and they will be able to assist.
Thank you
LOGISTO Team
Want to learn more?
The Same-Day courier market is evolving quickly. If you would like to learn more about the current state and the future of the space, then we recommend this article by McKinsey which you can access here.