When it comes to eCommerce, Canada is home to many exemplary brands. However, in order to be exemplary, these brands had to be perfect in many aspects, a stellar shipping experience being one of them. All eCommerce brands are indirectly competing with Amazon and Amazon Prime shipping. A whopping 56% of shoppers aged 18-34 expect same-day delivery. In this case, a stellar shipping experience would mean fast shipping, including on weekends. In fact, According to an Angus Reid Canadian poll, 74 per cent of Canadians agree that delivery services should operate on weekdays and weekends. But do all the carriers in Canada deliver on the weekends? Let’s find out!
Does Canada Post deliver on weekends?
Canada Post, officially, does not deliver on the weekends. However, they do make weekend deliveries to some locations. Canada Post only has Saturday deliveries for some of its services. Saturday delivery only applies to premium services like Xpresspost or Priority and only to urban locations like Vancouver and Montreal. Regular parcel deliveries do not usually have weekend deliveries. Sunday deliveries are only made by Canada Post during the peak season. Another service of Canada Post, Canada Post FlexDelivery lets customers decide when and where to pick up a parcel making Canada Post weekend delivery, easy.
Does weekend delivery apply to all services?
No, only premium services.
Does weekend delivery cover all locations?
No, only urban locations.
Does UPS deliver on weekends?
UPS did not have a weekend delivery service but recently became the first integrated carrier to offer Saturday residential delivery in Canada as a general service for all customers. Both residential and business packages are delivered from Mondays through Saturdays, 9 AM to 7 PM. UPS also does domestic as well as international deliveries on the weekends.
Does weekend delivery apply to all services?
Monday-Saturday delivery for both residential and commercial packages. Sunday delivery only for residential packages.
Does weekend delivery cover all locations?
FedEx weekend delivery Canada only covers major Canadian cities as of now.
Does FedEx deliver on weekends?
FedEx offers Saturday delivery. These are services that are done on Saturdays.
- FedEx First Overnight® (pickup only)
- FedEx Priority Overnight®
- FedEx Standard Overnight
- FedEx 2Day
- FedEx International Priority® Express
- FedEx International Priority®
- FedEx® International Economy
- FedEx® International Priority Freight
Note – The only exception here is the FedEx Ground Packages.
With FedEx Home Delivery, standard residential deliveries are made every day of the week, including Sundays, and there are usually no extra charges.
Does weekend delivery apply to all services?
As discussed above, most services have weekend delivery.
Does weekend delivery cover all locations?
No, only select locations.
Does Canpar Express deliver on weekends?
Canpar delivers to select postal codes on Saturdays. If you wish to receive your package on Saturday, your shipper has to choose that option during checkout otherwise you will receive it during regular business days which are Monday and Friday business hours, usually by 5 pm.
Does weekend delivery apply to all services?
Canpar’s Saturday delivery is a part of their Priority services.
Does weekend delivery cover all locations?
No, only select locations.
Does Purolator deliver on weekends?
Saturday deliveries are provided on select services and in urban areas like Ottawa and Edmonton. Like Canada Post, Purolator also does Sunday deliveries only during peak season.
Does weekend delivery apply to all services?
No, only premium services.
Does weekend delivery cover all locations?
No.
Now that you have a list of carriers, how do you make the decision? There are three major points to consider before making any move.
How to select the right carrier for weekend deliveries?
- Check locations – As mentioned before, most carriers do weekend deliveries only in urban areas. Check if your target market is covered by your shipping carrier.
- Compare costs – If you compare FedEx and UPS, you will see that both are very similar. But FedEx costs more. Similarly, some carriers charge extra while others do not. Even seemingly insignificant costs might foot a large bill at the end of the month.
- Go with the carrier that fits your business needs – FedEx is great for expensive shipping while ShippingChimp is great for eCommerce businesses. Keeping the forte of a shipping carrier in mind goes a long way.
Weekend Delivery with ShippingChimp
We are the go-to shipping carrier when it comes to eCommerce in Canada. Our shipping rates start at $5 within Canada. We have warehouses located across all strategic locations including Montreal, Quebec and Ontario. We deliver to select locations on Saturdays. View ShippingChimp rates here.
| Carrier | Saturday Delivery | Sunday Delivery | Extra charge |
| ShippingChimp | Yes, some locations | No | No |
| Canada Post | Yes, some locations | Yes, some locations | Depends |
| FedEx | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UPS | Yes | Yes, during peak | Depends |
| Canpar Express | Yes, some locations | No | Yes |
| Purolator | Yes, some locations | Yes, during peak | Yes |
Choosing the right shipping carrier for weekend delivery is the most important step you can take to improve your eCommerce business. Choose wisely!
FAQs
1. What are the advantages of choosing weekend delivery services for eCommerce businesses in Canada?
Most eCommerce businesses have adopted the weekend delivery model. Here are three advantages of the same.
- Competitive edge – As an online business, you are always competing against giant retailers, all the time. Weekend delivery gives you a competitive edge over the ones shipping only Monday to Friday.
- Less lost packages – 66% of online shoppers in Ontario said they had one or more packages stolen in 2021. Most people have a very busy schedule. If your customers aren’t available when the package gets delivered, there are high chances of theft.
- Increased customer satisfaction – It is a no-brainer that faster shipping leads to customer satisfaction.
- Reduced cart abandonment rates – Most customers check the shipping window before they make a purchase. If your eCommerce brand shows weekend deliveries on the shipping policy page, the customer gets an assurance that they will be home when the parcel is supposed to arrive. This reduces cart abandonment.
2. How do weekend delivery options from Canadian carriers impact customer satisfaction and loyalty?
Every customer wants fast shipping. They also want ease and convenience. No one would love to walk a mile to receive their package. Weekend delivery provides convenience as well as flexibility.
3. Which Canadian carriers offer the best weekend delivery services for eCommerce businesses?
ShippingChimp and UPS are leading weekend delivery in eCommerce.
4. What are the costs associated with weekend delivery services from major Canadian carriers?
Most carriers charge extra for Saturday delivery. This can go anywhere from $15 to $25.
5. What are the peak seasons for weekend deliveries in Canada, and how do carriers handle the increased demand?
In Canada, there are many peak seasons and numerous peak season challenges. These are:
- BFCM
- The holiday season – November to December
- back-to-school period – August to September
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