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Target's latest acquisition is seen as a step towards challenging Amazon.com:
Buying Shipt further beefs up Target's logistics operations after the retailer earlier this year acquired software company Grand Junction, which also manages local and same-day deliveries. Target now offers same-day delivery in New York City and can send orders from 1,400 of its stores. Competition in this space is growing fiercer, though, as rivals Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Best Buy Co. also offer same-day service, keeping pace with Amazon.
Target's decision to buy Shipt, rather than partner with it, "shows how serious they are," Kantar Retail analyst Robin Sherk said. "One-stop shopping was convenient in the 1990s but for today's families you have to be able to do instant food delivery as well. It's also a realization that Amazon, this big technology disruptor, has entered the consumer landscape."
Four out of five shoppers want same-day shipping, according to a survey by fulfillment software maker Temando, but only half of retailers offer it.
"With Shipt's network of local shoppers and their current market penetration, we will move from days to hours, dramatically accelerating our ability to bring affordable same-day delivery to guests across the country," John Mulligan, Target's chief operating officer, said in a statement.
Target statement. Also at Recode.
Related: Walmart Kills Amazon Prime-like Service, Expands Free Shipping
(Score: 3, Informative) by fyngyrz on Thursday December 14 2017, @04:20PM (3 children)
Amazon's overnight shipping, and their two-day shipping, both do not incorporate "same-day" shipping. Often, it is 2-3 business days before the item actually ships; then UPS or FedEx does indeed move it in one or two days as requested by the customer's chosen shipping method, or at least most of the time.
Amazon's ability to get products out the door in a timely manner is not very good. It used to be, though. Perhaps they'll get back to that at some point.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by t-3 on Thursday December 14 2017, @05:59PM (2 children)
It's in purpose. I'd you don't pay for prime, you will wait, not because you have to, because they want to punish you for not purchasing prime. This is one of many reasons why I try to order direct from the manufacturer or distributor and try to avoid Amazon when at all possible.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Thursday December 14 2017, @06:26PM
With the holiday rush, it's better to buy online and pick up at Target or -shudder- Walmart. A lot of stuff is backordered or bumped in price on Amazon since before Black Friday.
Competition is good.
Support your local store, rather than save $5. I don't want to live in a place with only hair and nail salons, and Martial Arts Dojos. They'd raise my taxes by more than I saved online.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by fyngyrz on Thursday December 14 2017, @10:19PM
I do pay for prime. I've been an Amazon prime member since 2009.
The shipping times I am reporting are those I've personally experienced multiple times. "Prime" items that were claimed to be in-stock and "shipped by Amazon" often do not actually ship for one or more full business days after the order has been submitted, regardless of if you pay for one-day shipping or not. The delays are gradually getting longer.
I don't doubt that it's worse if you're not a prime member – but I wouldn't know. I'm only reporting my experience.