Shutl has commissioned some independent research into the trading conditions in the UK for SMEs. Shutl operates a platform that allows the user more control over their deliveries. The company has found through the research that has been carried out that SMEs are currently feeling positive about the conditions in the UK market through 2017 and are confident about the outlook into 2018.

The platform developers have found through the research that they have commissioned that the nearly two thirds of the 500 SMEs that were involved in the research have said that their business will be in a better position by spring next year.  Three of those in the research have said that the improvement in delivery options available for smaller companies is the reason for this.

The research was carried out by Censuswide for the technology developer, Shutl, and focused on companies that operate within the retail and wholesale market in Great Britain. 73% of the SMEs that were involved in the research also responded saying that the biggest threat to the success of smaller companies is the competition posed by larger online companies. 59% of SMEs said that they felt the options available from delivery and distribution networks gave larger companies the upper hand.

34% of the SME managers that were consulted for the research have said that the smarter e-commerce options that are available offer a better option to SME retailers and allows them to compete more effectively with larger companies. The main competitive option for SMEs, according to 70% of the managers in Shutl’s research is to offer a personalised customer service or a unique brand experience which could be preferred to larger brands who may have had a poor track record for customer service.

Shutl is a new delivery option that has been developed and aims to make online shipping easier for individuals and businesses of all different sizes. The platform has been developed to offer a variety of different transport options that can be adapted to people’s requirements.