Online shopping has been on the increase for many years, and while the spike seen during the Covid-19 pandemic has eased the upward trend is inexorable, with ecommerce now accounting for around a quarter of UK retail sales.

It is the job of the home delivery specialist to give a great service to both the retailer and the shopper, using the best technology to deliver excellent service levels while presenting a friendly face on the doorstep.

In this highly competitive sector, the need to deliver the best service at the lowest price never goes away and operators have to set themselves apart from their competition while delivering a profit to their owners.

Against this tough economic backdrop, operators had to show progress towards decarbonising their operations.

This Award is open to any third party or own-account operator offering a home delivery service.

The judges will be looking for:

• The ability to adapt to changing volumes
• Commitment to the well-being of staff
• A strong business performance matched by service excellence including first-time delivery rates
• A range of delivery options to improve the end recipient experience
• Innovation in the vehicle fleet that increased efficiency and cut carbon emissions
• Ability to meet the ever-increasing demands of the end recipient for more flexible delivery options
• Excellent health and safety standards
• Evidence of the financial stability of the organisation