UPS launches Saturday service amid e-commerce order surge

UPS is to launch a Saturday service in eight European countries later this month, following a surge in e-commerce during lockdown.

The service will apply to the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Poland, with parcels carried at the same cost of weekday transit.

UPS cited research by IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index which said that retail e-commerce sales in the UK grew by a third (33%) in May as reason for the service expansion.

Mark Vale, president, UK, Ireland and the Nordics, at UPS said: “Traditional delivery options limited to Monday through Friday no longer fit our customers’ expectations. UPS has introduced Saturday deliveries so that British businesses shipping with UPS can now deliver six days a week to their customers, allowing them to meet increased demand and ensure a positive delivery experience.”

Lou Rivieccio, president, UPS Europe added: “The pandemic has accelerated the growth of e-commerce, with online retail sales in Europe growing by more than 60% at the height of lockdowns in mid-April.

“Online retailers can now benefit from cross-border Saturday deliveries with UPS, reaching about 80% of the population in eight key European e-commerce markets.”