The great challenge of last-mile companies
The growth of e-commerce during the pandemic has meant that there are more and more delivery vehicles on the streets. Only in Mexico, from April to June, the number of users who plan to make purchases online has increased, from 17% to 20%, according to a study by the Mexican Association of Online Sales .
This means that last mile companies will need to adjust their transportation logistics strategies to the new level of demand in order to satisfy customers. But what is the last mile and why does the current landscape matter? Next we will tell you.
What is last mile?
It is that company that is dedicated to making the final journey of the delivery of a product. That is, they are in charge of transporting and distributing the packages to the client. Delivery can take place at a specific collection point, at an automated box office or at the buyer's address, with several factors involved to make this possible. These include mobility (traffic), packet size, and time lapses.
Importance of logistics in the New Normality
In the current context, where social distancing has caused a greater request for home deliveries and long journeys in urban areas reduce delivery times, the use of technology is essential so that there are no setbacks. Among the systems that have been implemented and that will undoubtedly continue to be essential in the future are the following:
smart lockers
Last-mile companies are betting on a more recent system: smart lockers. These are usually in shopping centers to give the buyer greater independence. It automates the collection system and links with tracking systems such as mobile apps or web pages. In the future, companies will continue betting on the growth of these lockers to avoid human contact and crowds.
agreed deliveries
This type of delivery ensures that last mile companies will find the user at the right time. In this way, unnecessary delays and journeys are avoided. Due to the high demand for products, many companies offer free deliveries agreed for the same day in areas that are located near the place of dispatch. The fulfillment of this type of deliveries promotes loyalty and recommendations by the consumer.
Deliveries with autonomous robots or drones
Innovative companies decided to bet on advanced technology, and make use of autonomous drones and robots to avoid contact between the customer and the delivery person. Although it represents a high investment for transport logistics companies, it is an ingenious way of taking care of the health of their clients and collaborators.
Micro fulfillment and micro storage
The small and cheap warehouses, located in strategic places, are perfect for meeting a specific demand. This type of storage is beneficial if the market is known and the space is used through a strict order to satisfy the high demand. It is also extremely good for small packages, which usually make the use of space inefficient.
Now that it is known what the last mile is and what is the importance of logistics in the current context, it is important that these companies continue betting on technological development, and other solutions, in the midst of a context that is constantly changing. Online shopping will not disappear, on the contrary, it will continue to grow, becoming an inescapable part of the present.
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