Dive Brief:
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Verishop announced last week that it will offer shoppers free one-day shipping for online purchases without membership fees, subscriptions or minimum purchase amounts, according to the company's press release.
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The e-commerce platform, which launched in June, also offers free returns and 24/7 customer care, according to a company statement. For pricier purchases, shoppers can pay in installments with Affirm, an option that will give customers more payment flexibility, Verishop co-founder and CEO Imran Khan said in an email to customers.
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Verishop customers can shop for fashion, beauty and home products from more than 300 international brands "with the promise that all goods are verified with no third-party sellers," per the company statement.
Dive Insight:
In its latest announcement, Verishop continues to distinguish itself from other online retailers through its quality-versus-quantity approach, but the addition of free one-day shipping also appears to be aimed at snagging customers who crave convenience.
"My hope is that Verishop is a place that you can rely on for discovery and inspiration, as well as convenience and customer service," Khan said in a statement.
Verishop's efforts to verify products seem to be aimed at differentiating it from Amazon, which has lost market share to third-party merchants and can now be held liable for merchants' sales.
Meanwhile, other retailers have been rushing their delivery options. Etsy, for example, has encouraged merchants to offer free shipping, and Walmart and CVS have introduced one-day shipping options. Amazon, the dominant online retailer, has also amped up its Prime Day shipping from two days to one. Of course, the Prime membership, which costs up to $119 annually, gives customers access to the retailer's Prime Video content, books and music as well as faster shipping.
However, as Amazon speeds up its delivery offerings, a recent Buzzfeed investigation reported that the retailer's pursuit of faster deliveries could be contributing to needless deaths, injuries and labor law violations. Beyond the safety and labor implications, the industry has been trying to solve logistical challenges behind quick deliveries.
