BCG Merchant is offering its quickest delivery yet to independent merchants. Jonathan Eyre, sales director at BCG explains how a quicker service means better business.

Today’s customers expect a high quality service at the most competitive price possible. Merchants across the country are striving to deliver this in order to stay ahead of the competition in this increasingly competitive marketplace.

According to recent research from Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC)*, the downturn in the retail sector can be partly attributed to the increased competition on the high street, combined with a significant growth in online alternatives. The British Retail Consortium also affirmed that consumers have been less likely to hit the high street this summer. Despite better weather and the start of the Olympics towards the end of July, sales on the high street have been subdued, while online retail sales have seen a rise of 15.6%

As a leading distributor of heating, bathroom and kitchen products, BCG works alongside independent merchants across the country, constantly assessing and monitoring the changing landscape of the industry.

It is in response to thesemarket changes that BCG has focussed its attention on giving merchants the boost they need to deliver the highest possible standard of service to their consumers. Increasingly, we are finding that independent merchants are asking us for increased support in certain key areas. A faster-than-ever delivery service is one area that is high on the agenda of many of our customers, as it means not only getting products to their customers more quickly than the competition, but it allows them to make the most of floor space and showrooms, as the need to stock on the premises is minimised.

BCG has been offeringa24-hour delivery service nationwide to its customers since it first opened its doors. The response to this speedy service has been overwhelmingly positive, as often independent merchants are able to make delivery promises to installers and householders that the competition can’t rival.

BCG are now stepping it up a gear, rolling out a new same-day delivery pilot scheme in London, which offersBCG customersa same-day service on goods ordered before 11am. Merchants can either request delivery thatday, or canpick up the products from BCG’s West Horndon depot within just two hours.

The same-day delivery initiative is currently being trialled in North East London. Depending on the sustained take-up of the service itwill be looking to roll out the same-day service across a wider area.