The e-commerce home delivery expert ParcelCompare says investment in web and transport tech will boost online retail in the future; but questions need for £3bn Brexit preparations ‘slush fund’.
The newly-launched online parcel price comparison site ParcelCompare has welcomed Chancellor Philip Hammond’s plans to improve mobile connections to aid busy consumers shopping on the move. But the delivery specialists worry the £3bn Brexit preparation fund announced is preparing for failure in vital negotiations to retain the benefits of the Single Market.
ParcelCompare’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks MILT, says: The good news is the future looks bright for e-commerce and parcel deliveries; with £500m promised for next Gen 5G mobile networks and fibre broadband infrastructure across the UK, and £35m to speed up internet connections on trains. This will be a boost for busy consumers shopping on the move. People will be increasingly able to shop on their mobile wherever they are, and whatever else they are doing. For a tech-led company such as ParcelCompare this is very encouraging.’
And David adds the positive changes in regulations allowing developers to test driverless vehicles on UK roads could well mean lower costs and greater accuracy for deliveries in the future. ‘Britain will become a world leader in autonomous deliveries, through driverless trucks and drone vehicles. That has to be excellent news for home shoppers and everyone sending and receiving parcels.’
But on the subject of Brexit David comments: ‘Of course ParcelCompare is concerned about the impact of Britain experiencing a ‘hard Brexit’ and losing the benefits of the Single Market. That would increase the cost of exporting items considerably. As such we question why the Chancellor has felt the need to set aside £3bn for Brexit preparations? We trust this is not as an emergency slush fund should the UK crash out of the EU without a satisfactory trading deal.’
For more information about the launch of the pioneering online parcel price comparison site ParcelCompare, see https://parcelcompare.com/