Saturday and Sunday Delivery: Is the Premium Worth It?

Five years ago, Saturday delivery was a premium service that most small businesses never considered. Sunday delivery was mainly the domain of FedEx and reserved for high-urgency shipments. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has dramatically shifted. USPS delivers packages on Sundays, UPS has expanded its Saturday operations, and FedEx offers seven-day-a-week delivery in many areas.

The question isn't whether weekend delivery exists—it's whether the premium is worth paying. For many shippers, the answer hinges on a cost-benefit analysis they may have never considered.

The Current Weekend Delivery Landscape

Understanding what each carrier offers for weekend delivery can help you make informed decisions about whether to pay a premium or leverage existing services.

Saturday Delivery

USPS has integrated Saturday delivery into its standard services like Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Ground Advantage, all at no extra cost. This means if you ship with USPS, your package may arrive on Saturday without any additional effort or expense on your part. Similarly, UPS offers Saturday delivery for Ground and 2nd Day Air as part of their standard offerings, though you may incur a surcharge if you choose UPS Air services for guaranteed Saturday delivery.

FedEx Home Delivery includes Saturday delivery as well, especially for residential addresses. However, for FedEx Express services, you would need to pay a surcharge to ensure a Saturday delivery.

Sunday Delivery

USPS has taken a major step by incorporating Sunday delivery into its service, primarily through agreements with Amazon. This means a large majority of USPS packages can now arrive on Sundays in many areas, free of charge. FedEx offers Sunday delivery in select markets, especially for residential customers, while UPS's Sunday delivery is more limited and usually involves a USPS handoff in specific areas.

This shift toward weekend delivery being part of standard service offerings from USPS and FedEx Home Delivery means that in many cases, you don't pay extra. The package simply arrives over the weekend because it aligns with the delivery route schedule.

When Weekend Delivery Is Free (And You Should Use It)

Many shippers overlook the fact that weekend delivery is included in several standard shipping services, making it an opportunity that should not be missed.

USPS: Always Delivers Weekends

USPS offers seven-day delivery, including Saturdays, for most of its services. This means any package sent via Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, or Ground Advantage can potentially arrive over the weekend at no extra cost. In areas where Amazon has Sunday delivery agreements, USPS packages also benefit from this extended service.

Implication for Your Business: Shipping with USPS on a Thursday could result in a Saturday delivery, enhancing your customer experience without incurring additional costs.

FedEx Home Delivery: Saturday Included

FedEx Home Delivery inherently includes Saturday delivery for residential addresses. If your package reaches the local facility by Saturday, it will be delivered without any surcharge. Furthermore, FedEx offers Sunday delivery in many metropolitan areas, leveraging partnerships with independent contractors.

UPS Ground: Saturday Now Standard

UPS has made Saturday delivery a staple feature for Ground and 2nd Day Air packages in most regions. This means your Ground shipment can be delivered on a Saturday without needing to select any special options or paying an additional fee.

When You Actually Pay a Premium

The premium charges come into play when you require a guaranteed delivery on a specific weekend day. There's a clear distinction between "this package might arrive Saturday" and "this package must arrive Saturday."

Guaranteed Saturday Delivery Costs

For services like UPS Next Day Air or FedEx Priority Overnight, Saturday delivery requires a surcharge. This is because you're asking for an expedited service that guarantees your package will reach its destination on a specific day.

Sunday Premium Costs

Guaranteed Sunday delivery is less common and generally more expensive. For instance, FedEx Custom Critical and UPS Express Critical services, which cater to urgent deliveries, may charge significant premiums for Sunday delivery.

USPS Priority Mail Express offers a cost-effective alternative for guaranteed Sunday delivery in many areas, as it includes Sunday service with a money-back guarantee if the package is late.

The Business Case: When Premium Weekend Delivery Pays Off

Scenario 1: Perishable Goods

For businesses dealing with perishable goods like food or flowers, weekend delivery can be crucial in preventing spoilage. A package stuck in transit over the weekend could lead to product loss, which is far more costly than the surcharge for weekend delivery.

Scenario 2: Medical Supplies

Certain medical supplies and prescriptions need to arrive promptly to meet patients' needs. In such cases, weekend delivery can be a necessity rather than a luxury.

Scenario 3: E-commerce Customer Experience

Offering faster delivery, including weekends, can enhance customer satisfaction and potentially boost sales. Faster delivery times can reduce cart abandonment rates and improve customer loyalty, translating to higher revenue. By using services like USPS or FedEx Home Delivery, you can offer weekend delivery at no extra cost, improving your customer service without increasing expenses.

Scenario 4: B2B / Commercial Delivery

For B2B shipments, weekend delivery is generally unnecessary. Most businesses are closed over the weekend, so paying for a weekend delivery premium would be inefficient and costly.

The Hidden Cost: Shipping Day Selection

The day you ship a package can determine whether it arrives on a weekday or a weekend, impacting both your costs and customer satisfaction.

Optimal Shipping Days for Weekend Delivery

To ensure weekend delivery, consider shipping on Wednesdays or Thursdays. This strategy aligns with delivery schedules that naturally result in weekend deliveries, particularly beneficial for residential addresses.

The Thursday Shipping Strategy

Some direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands purposely ship on Wednesdays and Thursdays to ensure packages arrive over the weekend when customers are more likely to be home. This minimizes missed deliveries, reduces the risk of theft, and decreases customer service inquiries regarding delivery status.

Carrier Weekend Coverage Areas

Weekend delivery coverage can vary depending on your location and the carrier you choose.

USPS Sunday Delivery Coverage

USPS's partnership with Amazon allows for extensive Sunday delivery coverage, reaching about 90% of U.S. addresses.

FedEx Weekend Coverage

FedEx provides comprehensive weekend delivery options in major metropolitan areas, with Saturday delivery widely available and Sunday delivery expanding in select markets.

UPS Weekend Coverage

UPS offers robust Saturday delivery in most urban and suburban areas, but its Sunday delivery options remain limited.

Making the Right Call for Your Business

Step 1: Check if You're Already Getting Weekend Delivery for Free

If you use USPS Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, FedEx Home Delivery, or UPS Ground, you're likely already benefiting from free Saturday delivery. This might be happening without your explicit awareness, so review your shipping data to confirm.

Step 2: Look at Your Delivery Data

Analyze your delivery data to understand how often your packages currently arrive on weekends. This will help you assess whether you're already leveraging weekend deliveries effectively.

Step 3: Calculate the Premium ROI

If you're contemplating paying for guaranteed Saturday delivery, weigh the costs against the potential benefits. Consider factors like avoided spoilage, increased sales from faster delivery, and reduced customer service costs.

Step 4: Optimize Your Ship Days

Before paying for premium services, try adjusting your shipping schedule. Shipping on Wednesday or Thursday can naturally align with weekend delivery without incurring extra costs.

The Carrier Comparison for Weekend Priority

• Cheapest Saturday Delivery: USPS offers free Saturday delivery across its services.
• Guaranteed Saturday: USPS Priority Mail Express is the most cost-effective for guaranteed Saturday delivery.
• Broadest Sunday Coverage: USPS leads with extensive Sunday delivery via Amazon routes.
• Best Residential Weekend: FedEx Home Delivery provides comprehensive weekend service in many areas without additional charges.
• B2B (Skip Weekends): UPS Ground is ideal for avoiding unnecessary weekend deliveries.

Quick Recommendations by Business Type

• Small E-commerce (<200/mo): Use USPS for free weekend delivery.
• Mid-size DTC (200-2,000/mo): Leverage USPS and FedEx Home Delivery, shipping mid-week for weekend arrival.
• Perishable Goods: Consider paying for guaranteed Saturday delivery on time-sensitive shipments.
• Subscription Boxes: Ship mid-week to target Friday-Saturday arrivals.
• B2B Supplies: Opt for weekday delivery, minimizing unnecessary surcharges.
• High-value Items: Weekend delivery can reduce theft risk, as customers are more likely to be home.
• Furniture/Heavy Items: Schedule deliveries on weekdays when recipients are prepared to receive them.

The Verdict

For most e-commerce businesses, paying for a Saturday delivery premium is often unnecessary. USPS, FedEx Home Delivery, and UPS Ground already provide weekend deliveries as part of their standard services. Surcharges should be reserved for express or overnight shipments requiring guaranteed weekend arrival.

Weekend delivery has evolved from a luxury to a standard expectation, but not all carriers have adjusted their pricing to reflect this shift. By understanding the current landscape and strategically leveraging available services, you can enhance your delivery offerings without incurring additional costs.