The country head of Ninja Van Singapore believes the B2B restocking space isn’t broken but can be improved

Southeast Asia’s e-commerce sector has changed significantly over the past five years. Initially driven by the pandemic, the industry reached US$200 billion ($262 billion) in gross merchandise value by 2022 — three years ahead of predictions. Though growth has slowed, the market continues to expand, presenting opportunities and challenges for companies like Ninja Van to innovate and adapt.

Staying competitive requires new approaches to seize these opportunities. We look to maintain momentum with new strategies while focusing on core competencies in e-commerce express logistics. Adaptability, innovation, and understanding of customer needs are now more critical than ever. To succeed in this evolving environment, we believe companies must refine their operational capabilities and explore new avenues for growth and differentiation.

Ninja Van’s journey began by focusing on small e-commerce businesses. Our first-mile fleet collects parcels, sorted overnight and delivered the next day. This process handles two million parcels daily across Southeast Asia, requiring precise coordination, robust infrastructure, and a motivated workforce. Our operations are designed for efficiency, ensuring parcels are sorted and delivered quickly, regardless of fluctuations in volume.

And as we expanded, we began to support broader supply chain needs from cross-border logistics to warehousing. Our tech-enabled operations handle major events like 11.11, where parcel volumes can surge 11-fold overnight. We leverage data analytics and real-time monitoring to optimise routing and resource allocation to ensure efficient, cost-effective deliveries — even during peaks. This agility is key to maintaining our leadership in logistics.

Building on this expertise, Ninja Van is expanding into other logistics sectors, such as business-to-business (B2B) restocking and cold chain logistics. These sectors have unique requirements, and by bringing our e-commerce expertise into these areas, we can create significant value for our customers.

The essentials of restocking

Today, the way I see it, the B2B restocking space isn’t broken, but it can be improved. Traditionally, shippers faced uncertainty about shipment arrivals, leading to understocking or overstocking. Adapting our e-commerce logistics solutions brings transparency and flexibility to B2B restocking. Improved visibility and control help businesses plan better, manage inventory more efficiently, and ultimately reduce costs.

In e-commerce logistics, tech-enabled parcel tracking provides complete visibility, which we have since extended to our B2B services. Real-time tracking can also help identify issues sooner, support faster decision-making, and allow businesses to plan more effectively. Transparency fosters trust and builds confidence for shippers and customers.

Tracking helps us manage exceptions more effectively. When delays or disruptions occur, real-time visibility... (Read the rest of the article here)