Coronavirus has struck global economies in the harshest way possible; financially, physically, medically. With the impact of this deadly virus being spread across geographical territories, economies are shattering. The impact has resulted in stock exchanges drowning, the retail industry facing serious setbacks, travel, and tourism on a hold, finances deeply weakened.
Warehousing, courier services, shipping, are also not spared from the ill effects of COVID-19. Online businesses especially, which run and function dependent on online shipments through FedEx and UPS (and others), are on a historic low. With reductions in Chinese manufacturing, Chinese laborers, and business hours, supply of products has been impacted. So is the case for shipments to across the globe.
With an increase in delayed delivery days, more costs on international shipping, dip in retail commerce, FedEx and UPS challenges are expected to rise further.
From our record of tracking FedEx and UPS shipments, international deliveries for both FedEx and UPS shipments have been severely impacted. There has been a significant increase in the delivery delays for FedEx, UPS and DHL shipments. Compared to the month of December, the percentage of delivery delays increased by 4.32% for FedEx, 7.4% for UPS and 6.94% for DHL.
Moreover, the coronavirus outbreak has also wreaked havoc to the growth of the following industries: AutoParts, Aviation, Apparel, Healthcare, Hardware.
The global delivery system, on the whole, has suffered a great hindrance due to the import/export restrictions, labor shortages, medical emergencies pan globe.
Freight movements are severely hampered. For instance, due to the fear of the Chinese outbreak of coronavirus, the inbound cargo is reported to be affected.
It was also reported that FedEx is strictly adhering to all the recommended regulations directed by the Chinese officials for shipments coming in and moving out from Wuhan, the center from where the coronavirus is believed to have spread.
As is obvious from the infographics, FedEx and UPS deliveries are strongly related to the economic ups and downs. As is the present day scenario, coronavirus is taking down the economic indicators by leaps and bounds.
The future is uncertain about the spread or containment of the life-threatening virus spread across the globe. The challenges that these companies face are therefore grave.
In the wake of such factors, FedEx and UPS ought to strategize on their available manpower, stock as well as financial resources. As is being done by the Chinese, the use of “non-face-to-face methods” is a viable option. The temporary storage of any mail, which is yet to be delivered, at the postal outlets itself is being followed to safeguard staff and others from the spread of the virus.
Any direct touch or contact can be avoided at the minimal steps undertaken. FedEx and UPS have initiated steps to incorporate social distancing.
Source: Fedex.com
Another process is the availability of the collection of parcels or packages from the outlet. Technology can be used to devise smart parcel lockers evading the need for any and every contact between staff and outsiders.
eCommerce businesses, shipping companies, delivery systems, are without an iota of doubt suffering financially since the outset of this coronavirus. But the good news is that propelled by the setback, businesses are investing more than ever in Automation, AI and Augmented Reality. These technologies which were until now in a nascent stage, are seeing a huge leap forward.
