The other day, a news headline caught my eye: "Let's stop using the term 'free shipping'!" The article explained that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has decided to take the lead in resolving the issue where the deep-seated image of goods being transported for free has placed a burden on the logistics industry, which actually incurs real costs.
The 2024 Logistics Problem
2024 marks the start of work-style reform in the logistics industry, where labor environments have deteriorated due to excessive cost-cutting. It is predicted that setting caps on overtime hours will lead to various problems, such as high turnover and price hikes. Seeing the number of trucks parked at highway service areas at night makes it easy to imagine this abnormal state of affairs.
In reality, this issue regarding the term "free shipping" has been pointed out for over a decade. As someone who has worked in a corner of the logistics industry as a messenger, I have experienced firsthand how those cost cuts were implemented. On the other hand, I am also a consumer, and when I shop online, I still find myself drawn to the perk of free shipping.
So, how should we phrase it if shipping is free? Apparently, it should be labeled as "Shipping fees covered by the company." In the case of the Circles WEB SHOP, we have always effectively covered all shipping costs, whether subsidized or free, on our own.
Considering these circumstances, and in order to strike a balance between providing a great shopping experience for our customers and managing the delivery costs that have already begun to rise, we have decided to revise our shipping fees effective July 1st.
New Circles WEB SHOP Shipping Rates
- Purchases over 10,000 yen: Free shipping (covered by company)
- Purchases under 10,000 yen: Flat rate of 800 yen
- Messenger delivery: Flat rate of 800 yen
- In-store pickup: Free
- International shipping: Market rate
While the various problems in logistics are massive issues that we cannot solve alone, we will strive to improve so that we can realize a better society and better service by exercising our imagination for the people working behind the scenes. We appreciate your continued understanding and cooperation.
Use Local Delivery by Messenger
Regarding the 2024 Logistics Problem, various solutions are being attempted, not just simple changes in terminology. While there is an interesting concept called the "Physical Internet," as the local bike shop Circles, we have continued to offer bicycle delivery within Nagoya City in cooperation with Daisy Messenger because we want to make better use of local delivery services.
While messenger delivery services are familiar to us, I think they are a bit "mysterious" to general customers compared to services like Kuroneko Yamato or Sagawa Express. Basically, it is the same as regular parcel delivery, but the features are that it is same-day delivery and that a specific time slot is always required. Drop-off delivery is also available.
I would like to write an article with further details, but as it is a simple and flexible system where one package is delivered by one messenger, please make sure to include your requested time slot and any other requests in the comments field when placing your order.
