New Approaches to Last-Mile Deliveries
Article from MHI Solutions Magazine
Over the last few years, the definition of last-mile delivery has been expanded to encompass many different methods of getting goods to customers. These include delivery services dropping off packages at front doors, the white glove unboxing of large items like furniture inside a home, consumer pickups from lockers, curbside or retail store locations and even the collection of returns. At the same time, the quality of the fulfillment experience has become increasingly important to consumers, who are now more likely to switch brands when they can’t get purchases delivered when, where and how they want them.
Retailers that want to be successful in ecommerce understand that they must provide last-mile deliveries that are timely, customer satisfying and cost-effective. The possible solutions range from smaller, localized fulfillment centers to data-based logistics software to autonomous delivery vehicles.
Last-mile challenges
Retailers have to consider many factors when developing their last-mile delivery strategies.
Cost is a major concern. Last-mile deliveries account for 53% of the total cost of shipping and 41% of the total supply chain cost, according to a report from the World Economic Forum. “On top of that, consumers are not always willing…
