We’ve all been there when you’ve ordered an item from an online shop and had it sent straight to your home. This is all part of last-mile delivery service.
The ‘last-mile’ delivery is the final step in a product’s journey from the warehouse to your doorstep and is often the most tricky section of this process. Retail e-commerce sales in the UK reached over £129 billion in 2021 and while this exponential growth has been welcomed, it has given rise to a number of challenges.
If tracking your parcel when it’s out for delivery has ever felt like forever, then you’ve had first-hand experience with the current inefficiencies affecting last-mile delivery. From congested traffic to increasing parcel volumes, logistics companies have recently had to develop new solutions to deliver superior delivery experiences.
What are the problems in the last mile?
The main objective of last-mile delivery services is to get products from A to B in as little time as possible. Every challenge faced by couriers makes the process longer and more expensive.
Costs
Customers want to receive their items as quickly and cheaply as possible, but this is often the most expensive part of the delivery process. Due to the rise of free delivery, many customers don’t want to foot the bill for any delivery fee. So while same-day couriers can get your order to you within a few hours, all the costs for transport and manpower are down to them.
Unpredictability
Local and long-distance transports are unpredictable due to the lack of an efficient delivery framework. This makes it impossible to properly plan out delivery routes and provide accurate tracking throughout the service, leading to higher levels of delays in deliveries and customer disappointment.
Outdated delivery tools
Customer demands and scalability are always evolving, and outdated delivery technology can’t meet these new needs. This can lead to increased rates of human error and failed deliveries. Replacing traditional delivery tech will help your workforce communicate efficiently and give you better control over your business operations.
What solutions are there to improve efficiency?
The only way to combat the last-mile problem and increase profitability is to streamline every level of the delivery process.
Increase sustainability
Optimising routes and finding ways to make your delivery more eco-friendly can help reduce the environmental impact of your operations. This makes businesses more attractive to a variety of customers, especially those who are eco-conscious.
Real-time communication
Providing real-time communication between the delivery driver and the customer goes a long way to improving user trust. Customers can be kept in the loop about any delays, delivery times, or any other issues within the delivery process.
Optimise vehicle routes
Not only is route planning better for your fuel emissions but finding the most effective route to a destination can result in decreased delivery times. Advanced software can be used to schedule routes automatically while taking into account traffic and vehicle type.