Bavina Sookdeo
The local courier industry has seen a notable surge in demand, driven by the rise of e-commerce, the increasing popularity of online shopping and safety concerns due to rising crime rates.
Business Day spoke with three small courier companies – Samcey’s Courier Services Ltd, DZK Courier Services and DeliverEase – which are playing a crucial role in meeting this demand.
The growing demand
Across the board, these companies have reported increased demand for their services, particularly during the Christmas season.
Nadrica Stacey George, owner of Samcey’s Courier Services Ltd, described the season as having "a remarkable impact as it boosted the business" of her 11-month-old courier service, with demand steadily growing year-round.
Similarly, DZK Courier Services, in operation for two years, has observed consistent demand, especially from small businesses reliant on last-minute delivery.
Owner Dyllon Patterson said, "With the growing shift towards online shopping, more individuals and businesses are turning to courier services to meet their needs for timely delivery of gifts, supplies and other items."
DeliverEase, which started just eight months ago, has also seen impressive growth.
"Our main goal is providing efficient and reliable service and this has really made a great impact on our business. We’re growing at an amazing rate," said the owner, Afia Calliste.
Seasonal challenges and strategies
While the Christmas season is a boon, it comes with unique challenges.
Traffic congestion, longer delivery times and heightened customer expectations for rapid delivery put a strain on operations.
DeliverEase said, "Traffic has been a real challenge for our agents – even though we're on the road at 7.30 am, there is no escaping it."
To maintain efficiency, companies use innovative strategies. DZK Courier Services optimises routes with software and consolidates deliveries to remote areas. Samcey’s Courier Services relies on GPS and local knowledge, and DeliverEase assigns agents to specific routes for smoother logistics.
Safety and security concerns
Safety is a top priority for these businesses, particularly amid the rising crime rate.
While both cash and Linx payments are accepted on delivery, both Samcey’s and DZK encourage digital payments, to reduce risks associated with cash handling.
George recounted a harrowing incident when a man posed as a customer and when one of her drivers got to the drop-off location, four men robbed him.
"To prevent this, we advise our drivers to leave an area if they feel unsafe," she said.
DZK further mitigates risks with real-time tracking, employee training in safety protocols, providing employees with phones for emergency communication, avoiding late-night deliveries in high-risk areas and encouraging a buddy system for certain deliveries.
DeliverEase employs a transparent system to monitor agents and track delivery locations in real time, storing every location.
Profitability
Despite challenges, the courier industry can be lucra
