FedEx tackles bulky shipments
FedEx is expanding its delivery of oversized e-commerce purchases.
The parcel shipping giant’s FedEx Freight subsidiary is rolling out its FedEx Freight Direct e-commerce solution to more than 80% of the contiguous U.S. population, following a pilot in select markets earlier this year. Freight Direct provides delivery of bulky online purchases such as furniture, TVs, and exercise equipment into residences and businesses.
Freight Direct is the first standardized FedEx service to make deliveries through the door and into homes. The service incorporates technology to provide end-to-end visibility across the entire lifecycle of a shipment in one seamless network, give consumers enhanced delivery choices, and offer convenience.
“Today’s consumers are just as comfortable purchasing a television or sofa online as they are groceries or books,” said Brie Carere, FedEx executive VP and chief marketing and communications officer. “We’re seeing more oversized items move through our global network. FedEx Freight Direct is critical to addressing these challenges as part of our growing e-commerce portfolio.”
The FedEx Freight Direct delivery equipment, including trucks, were designed with input from FedEx Freight drivers specifically to operate in limited-access areas like residential neighborhoods. Drivers and employees who conduct these deliveries have undergone extensive training.
Meanwhile, FedEx Freight Direct service and technology were designed using customer feedback. The service is available in standard format, with delivery into the first room of convenience in a residence or business. This includes a two-hour delivery window and the ability for customers to select delivery times and receive proactive notifications.
A premium option includes the same features as standard, along with delivery to room of choice and optional packaging removal. Premium deliveries will be conducted by two FedEx Freight associates to ensure safety and quality service. In addition, a basic option offers to-the-door residential delivery to 100% of the contiguous U.S. population.
FedEx has been responding to increasing delivery pressure from Amazon with new capabilities and services. Beginning in January 2020, FedEx will offer ground delivery seven days per week for the majority of the U.S. population.
In addition, nearly 2 million FedEx SmartPost packages that were previously given to the U.S. Postal Service for delivery to homes every day will be increasingly integrated into FedEx ground operations. FedEx also stopped delivering Amazon packages through its ground network in August 2019.