Three trends of 2019 of the moving industry

In recent years we have seen different trends in the moving industry. All have impacted moving companies and customers. There are three big trends emerging that we have seen in 2018 and will evolve more in 2019. These provide challenges as well as chances for moving companies.

The first trend we observe has significantly impacted all industries, not only the moving industry. After the transition period, the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) started requiring investment in IT systems and data security. The European GDPR replaces the Data Protection Directive and is designed for three main goals: harmonize data privacy laws across Europe, protect and empower all European citizens data privacy and reshape the way organizations across the region approach data privacy. Many companies are still adjusting to these new rules and requirements in 2019.

The second trend we see is the fact more and more consumers can be divided into three different groups. Every group requires a different approach by moving companies. The first group is related to company accounts and they have to move more rapidly all around the globe with often thin luggage. The second group is the well-known movement of full households. This group is declining in numbers and is taken over by group number three. This is the group of the IKEA-generation which is booming with almost no luggage content to be moved at all.

Customers nowadays expect a more personal service. They also want to use digital solutions allowing them to have control and insight in the whole moving process. Especially the IKEA-generation often doesn't want to be involved in multiple visitors to evaluate their inventory. For them, this consumes time and energy they rather spend on other things.

The third trend is the fact an increasing number of moving companies around the globe are looking for partners who can support their mission and help them handle their workload more effectively. This means finding ways to share jobs with reliable external partners as well as finding technical solutions to make all related processes internally up-to-date. Tons of software providers are screaming they have THE solution. Therefore, it can be a challenging task to find the best fit for your company without wasting time, money and energy. My advice: prepare your company and your staff for the challenges of the future by digitalizing step by step instead of all at once.

Ralf Giesen is the Head of PartnerDesk and is able to attent all questions regarding or related to Move4U solutions. The PartnerDesk division was recently created to offer better service to all Move4U partners and clients. Want to know more about this subject or the Move4U solutions? Feel free to contact Ralf through ralf@move4u.com or +31857604760.