In the bustling world of e-commerce, London-based startup Relay is making waves with its fresh approach to delivery. This innovative company has just secured a significant €9.2 million in seed funding, led by Project A Ventures and Prologis Ventures, to redefine the full-stack delivery network across the UK.
Relay isn’t just another delivery service; it’s a tech-enabled powerhouse aiming to revolutionize how parcels move from e-commerce retailers’ warehouses right to the consumers’ doorsteps. Covering the entire delivery journey – the first, middle, and last miles – Relay stands out with its comprehensive service.
Founded in 2022, Relay is disrupting the traditional logistics model. Its unique network relies on asset-free, hyper-local partners, including urban pitstops and couriers. This structure allows Relay to cut down on the usual logistics overheads like suburban depots and sorting centers. The result? Quicker, more efficient, and, importantly, more sustainable parcel deliveries.
In its inaugural year, Relay’s impact is already impressive. The company has forged partnerships with e-commerce giants such as JD Group, THG (boasting brands like Cult Beauty, MyProtein, Lookfantastic, and Glossybox), and other top-tier enterprise retailers. Projecting to annualize millions of deliveries within just 15 months of its launch, Relay’s growth trajectory is nothing short of remarkable.
Currently active in London, Relay has big plans to expand across the UK in the coming year. The company is not only working with several of the UK’s top 10 enterprise e-commerce retailers but is also set to onboard even more come January 2024.
Relay’s co-founder and CEO, Jonathan Jenssen, highlights a crucial industry gap. While Asian delivery companies have evolved alongside e-commerce, their European and US counterparts are still playing catch-up. Relay aims to bridge this divide, offering retailers and consumers not just faster and cheaper delivery options but also a commitment to the environment and the community.
For retailers, Relay’s services are a game-changer. Deliveries are not only faster and more reliable but also cheaper. Perhaps most impressively, Relay’s operations can slash carbon emissions by up to 50%. Thanks to their innovative routing technology, couriers can efficiently combine deliveries and returns in a single route, optimizing every journey.
End-customers are in for a treat too. They can now enjoy guaranteed next-day delivery, complete with real-time tracking – a significant upgrade from the standard 2-5 day delivery window. Over 80% of end-customers are already experiencing this service enhancement.
But it’s not just about the parcels. Relay’s model benefits local couriers, offering them flexible work schedules and increased earning opportunities. Under the worker model, couriers are entitled to essential benefits like sick and holiday pay.
Philipp Werner, Partner at Project A, emphasizes the need for innovation in parcel delivery. According to him, the current landscape is still rooted in the pre-digital era. Relay’s approach, which addresses the entire value chain instead of focusing solely on the ‘last mile’, coupled with their industry knowledge and technology-centric methods, is set to radically disrupt the parcel delivery status quo.
In conclusion, Relay’s approach to e-commerce delivery in the UK is not just a step forward; it’s a leap into the future. With its innovative, technology-driven model, commitment to sustainability, and focus on both retailer and consumer needs, Relay is poised to transform the way we think about parcel delivery. Watch this space – Relay is on a mission to change the game.
