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Pandemic plus holiday prep puts the pinch on online shopping

Aug 31, 2021 , , , , by shlf

As COVID-era consumers embrace the convenience and sequestered safety of online shopping, retailers are increasingly tasked to ensure prompt and reliable parcel delivery.

Statistics Canada reported a record $3.9 billion in e-commerce sales in May, a 2.3 per cent hike over April and a 99.3 per cent increase over February. The pre-holiday numbers are on an upward trajectory said the agency, noting Canadians now do 10 per cent of their spending online.

The pandemic, causing many brick-and-mortar stores to close, has created massive demand and opportunity for delivery services, an industry valued annually at $12 billion nationally and $4.5 billion in Ontario.

This is a windfall not without challenges for delivery businesses, said LinkEdge Consultancy managing partner Brian Meagher.

“Holiday delivery issues have been around for a long time,” said Meagher who consulted Metroland Media in the planning of its new parcel delivery service launched earlier this month. “There has been a history of early cut-off times and that disappoints many consumers. This year, it could be a significantly bigger issue for everyone.”

The fact that almost 50 per cent of consumers will shop online this year to avoid large crowds, and retailers want more delivery options, was the genesis to create and launch Metroland Parcel Services, said Mike Banville, who leads the new service.

Metroland, a division of Torstar Corporation, publishes more than 70 community and daily newspapers delivered to 70 per cent of Southern Ontario households by a network of 15,000 delivery contractors. Metroland’s facility hubs, distribution networks and expertise ideally positions the organization to successfully extend its services into parcel delivery, said Banville.

“Our research and clients tell us e-commerce channel growth has exploded and is largely expected to sustain post-COVID. Parcel carriers are struggling to meet service level commitments. Some carriers have inconvenient hard stop deadlines for holiday deliveries,” he said.

“Our new solution is designed to deliver a high value premium final mile parcel delivery experience in Ontario right up to Christmas Eve and beyond.”

Metroland offers next-day express and standard two- to three-day delivery at competitive prices and includes delivery guarantees, real-time parcel tracking and photo delivery confirmation. The new service also provides seamless technology integration into client platforms.

Metroland’s strategy and parcel delivery commitment struck an important chord with Toys R Us Canada president and CEO Vic Bertrand.

“Toys R Us is focused on serving Canadians with what they want, when they want, and how they want it,” said Bertrand. “The how is where Metroland comes in.”

Delivery makes up the majority of Toys R Us e-commerce transactions, followed by pickup and curbside, explained Bertrand, adding that the capacity constraints on delivery last holiday, and through the pandemic, will persist through this holiday season.

“That’s why we’re thrilled to be on board with Metroland. Their service is both timely and targeted for our exponential growth in the Golden Horseshoe. Our e-commerce sales have risen triple-digit overall since the pandemic.

“Metroland has a unique, high volume distribution footprint in Ontario that is well-positioned to respond to our last mile delivery needs.”

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‘I was stunned to find out how expensive you are’: Planning consultant lays out options for Collingwood official plan

Aug 30, 2021 , , , , by shlf

Collingwood’s next official plan should focus residential and commercial development to its existing retail corridors.

That includes, notably, Collingwood’s historic downtown, which should receive further protections and recognition of its importance to the community, recommends the town’s planning consultant, Ron Palmer of The Planning Partnership.

Palmer presented councillors with recommendations to consider as part of the town’s updated official plan, including that it reflect a planning horizon into the mid-2040s so that it is consistent with provincial and county planning policies.

The next steps in the official plan will be a series of public workshops in the next week, followed by a presentation of the draft plan to council in early 2021.

Palmer said the official plan should focus around a series of values for Collingwood, including walkability, inclusivity, healthy lifestyles, sustainability, and quality urban design.

It should also focus intensification efforts to community centres and corridors to reduce the need to intensify in existing neighbourhoods.

The approach to protecting the downtown in the past — such as restricting certain commercial uses, including banks, to the core — has worked, he said, but he also wanted to see broader permissions for commercial uses throughout the community.

That includes allowing for residential within the commercial corridors, “and talk about new development in the terms of compatible development.”

There are also recommendations on how to encourage — and measure the success of — sustainable development such as ‘green’ building technologies, with the potential of the town offering some kind of incentives.

One of the key elements of the plan will be to find ways to ensure Collingwood is affordable for a broad demographic. Palmer said the issue of housing was one he heard the most about during the public input process.

“I was stunned to find out how expensive you are relative to other municipalities in southern Ontario,” Palmer said, referring to his research into local real estate prices. “You have a significant dependence on low-intensity, single-attached and very expensive housing.”

Palmer told councillors that tools could be put in the official plan compelling developers to build a range and mix of housing as part of their projects — including affordable housing. However, he added, that still relied on the province to approve the mechanics of how that’s implemented, and whether Collingwood would be permitted to use that tool.

Other elements the council can consider in the official plan would be to “up the bar” when it comes to urban design, and how the architectural control process can be expanded through the town’s comprehensive zoning bylaw.

A heritage conservation section could also be added to the urban design manual, and new development could be integrated into the heritage character of areas such as the downtown.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean it has to mimic historic built forms, but it means it has to be compatible, and understand what makes Collingwood historically important,” he said.