In a dynamic move that’s set to reshape the landscape of last-mile delivery for retailers, Oracle and Uber have joined forces to introduce a groundbreaking solution called “Collect and Receive.” This innovative service, backed by Oracle’s cutting-edge Retail Data Store and cloud platform technologies, is designed to seamlessly connect retailers with Uber Direct, Uber’s white-label delivery solution, using pre-integrated APIs.
The collaborative offering is poised to revolutionize inventory management for retailers while affording customers a range of choices, including same-day and scheduled delivery, order pickups, and the option to return items to the nearest retail or postal location. Currently, the service is available exclusively to Oracle Retail customers in the United States and Canada.
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, highlighted the significance of on-demand delivery in today’s retail landscape, noting that it has become a fundamental expectation for consumers. He revealed that Uber Direct already assists over 3,500 brands each month, enabling millions of same-day local deliveries. Through this strategic partnership with Oracle, the aim is to simplify retailers’ access to on-demand delivery and returns, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction, optimizing logistics, and driving loyalty and sales.
This collaboration builds on the foundation of Uber’s recent seven-year strategic cloud partnership with Oracle, with a core focus on creating new consumer experiences within last-mile logistics. The utilization of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is expected to deliver increased profitability for retailers.
Pat Bohannon, Vice President at Oracle Retail, emphasized how the synergy between Oracle’s deep understanding of retail processes and Uber’s expertise in delivery will bridge the gap between transaction and customer service. Furthermore, it will provide invaluable data to enhance future interactions, ultimately boosting retail profitability.
New research commissioned by Uber underscores the growing importance of express delivery, with 75% of consumers now expecting this option. The study also found that 72% are more likely to remain loyal to companies offering express delivery, while 44% stated they had discontinued business with companies that did not provide this service.
The Collect and Receive service empowers retailers to leverage the capabilities of Oracle Retail Data Store Cloud Service, Oracle Retail Store Inventory Operations Cloud Service, Oracle Retail Xstore Point of Service, and Oracle Retail Order Management Suite Cloud Services. These tools grant retailers swift access to Uber Direct through bundled APIs.
Once connected, retailers can extend fast, dependable, and flexible local delivery options to customers while gaining better control over delivery expenses. This integration, which narrows the gap between order placement and delivery, promises a more agile supply chain, enabling more efficient movement of merchandise across retail ecosystems.
All transaction data is seamlessly integrated into the Oracle retail cloud platform, enabling retailers to gain profound insights into customer buying behaviors and preferences. This, in turn, facilitates the refinement and enhancement of services and offerings, enabling retailers to uphold their brand promises and foster genuine customer loyalty.
Jordan K. Speer, Research Director of Worldwide Retail Product Sourcing, Fulfillment, and Sustainability Strategies at IDC Research, hailed the partnership, asserting that it would reduce the cost of last-mile deliveries and empower retailers with a more valuable, intelligent end-to-end supply chain process.
In conclusion, Oracle and Uber’s collaboration marks a significant stride toward redefining last-mile delivery in the retail sector. As on-demand services continue to gain prominence, this partnership is well-positioned to meet the evolving expectations of consumers and provide retailers with the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive market.
