The smart delivery in the last mile and its solutions to implement it, are essential to take on the market transformation: the unstoppable increase in eCommerce demand and the growing demands of consumer 4.0.
Smart delivery is on the crest of the wave in the logistics sector, because, due to the innovative technologies on which it is based, it brings multiple benefits in delivery: enormous time savings, and greater flexibility and security in the transport of goods. Digitalisation is an unstoppable trend in the logistics sector, and smart delivery is just one consequence of this.
For years, an earthquake that would revolutionise the logistics sector and the last mile has been predicted. However, the health crisis has accelerated this process, as eCommerce has grown by 36% over the course of 2020. A growth trend that continues unstoppable in 2021. For this reason, the last mile has had to adapt to cope with the huge demand for orders and become more flexible in order to satisfy all types of users.
What is Smart Delivery?
Smart Delivery is a type of delivery that puts the most innovative technologies of logistics 4.0 into the hands of last mile distribution. Smart delivery brings together all the practices and tools of the present to convert the last mile into the last mile. last mile into a more cost-effective, secure, flexible, intelligent and competitive link in the supply chain. All of this, with the aim of meeting the needs of today's consumer as closely as possible.
Smart delivery tools and solutions
In order to carry out an intelligent distribution of outstanding, it is necessary to implement a series of solutions or tools. Some of the most important of these are:
Lockers or smart lockers
This smart delivery solution is based on leaving parcels in so-called smart lockers. This works like a mailbox and can be installed in multiple locations, such as shops or supermarkets. The lockers are very secure, as they can only be opened by means of a code known to only two people: the company sending the parcel and the person receiving it.
With such a last mile delivery alternative, it is no longer necessary for someone to be at the end-user's home in order to successfully deliver. It is therefore key to minimising the cost and efficiency of last mile delivery. last mile, one of the most costly and sensitive processes in the supply chain.
Urban hubs
Urban hubs have emerged to make urban transport more cost-effective, efficient and sustainable. last mileThis allows stock to be brought as close as possible to the final destination points, with the aim of trying to reduce journeys and grouping them together. So that more packages are sent in fewer kilometres.
An urban hub is a logistics area where all kinds of activities related to transport, sorting of goods, as well as their dispatch and distribution for onward transport to their destination can be carried out. These hubs are located in a privileged location within the cities. This shortens the time and distance of the last mile, which takes place from the warehouse to the door of the end customer.
Click & Collect
Click & Collect, also known as "Buy online and Collect in shop", is a hybrid e-commerce model in which users select items online and collect them themselves from the physical shop of their choice.
This solution of the smart delivery avoids the problems associated with delivery schedules, delays, such as missed deliveries. In addition to being an option that helps reduce last mile costs, it makes shipping much simpler and more accessible for the end user, as they can pick up when and where they want. Because of this and its many advantages, 69% of shoppers prefer to collect orders online and pick them up in-store, i.e. Click & Collect.
In conclusion, the smart delivery and its solutions are the present of the last mile, as they guarantee an impeccable service tailored to today's 4.0 users. But... where are we going? That is the subject of a future post.
