How Logistics Can Shape The Future Of eCommerce

One of the less often thought about digital and retail revolution components is how exactly customers and businesses will receive products.

eCommerce is growing at a phenomenal rate and the logistics industry has an opportunity to increase profitability and reduce freight spending by overcoming the challenges of moving products globally.

Faster, more flexible delivery and easy returns

The move to eCommerce is not new, but the impact of Covid-19 has accelerated the increase. Retailers are noticing a change in consumer expectations. In one of the?surveys, retailers responded that almost half of consumers are expected to demand faster delivery speeds. Thirty-six per cent said that customers want more flexibility in their delivery options. Buyers also want the security of knowing they can return items easily if they don’t meet their expectations of needs.

Faster, flexible delivery options and easy returns sound simple. Delivering on these promises when your competitor is just one click away requires companies to be proactive and responsive. It takes quite a bit of work. Retailers were asked what the three biggest challenges facing the retail industry were. The second highest response was managing supply chain issues. Earlier, this was not mentioned as a concern. The added complexity of an eCommerce supply chain has affected the logistics industry significantly.

Higher inventories

Until now, retailers have been working with the Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory management model, which produces just what is needed, minimising the need to store extra inventory. As consumers demand greater availability and faster delivery, many industries switch to a Just-In-Case (JIC) model. The switch to higher inventories will increase the amount of storage needed.

Companies need to keep higher inventory to promptly meet the demand and ensure it is in the most strategic locations. Fast delivery is coming to mean the same or the next day. The status quo of one distribution centre and bulk deliveries to retail outlets cannot meet these new demands.

Increased demand for strategic storage locations

Storage locations will need different storage handling areas for outgoing goods and returned goods. They will also need to be flexible as they serve a variety of end-users. It might range from bulk deliveries to retail outlets to packaging individual items for direct delivery to the customer.

Variety of delivery options

Consumers order more of their products online, and delivering them in a timely way becomes more challenging. Many outlets are becoming creative in their click and collect options, effectively making the sale online and in-person. But there remains a large percentage of sales which must be delivered. Combine that increasing number with increasing expectations on delivery and speed and a desire for delivery choice, and you have a huge logistical challenge.

Companies like Amazon have established efficient last-mile logistics. They have excelled in the increasingly online environment. The challenge for SMBs is how to deliver to the consumer in the most economical, efficient way.

A variety of options are being explored. Combining small shipments into one lot, inaccessible storage kiosks, and the diversification of services like Uber or Ola are just a few of the lot. Each business requires exploring a variety of options to provide for these growing consumer expectations.

Crucial logistics systems

Storage locations are increasing and spreading out. Individual items leave storage facilities with very little notice. Returns are happening with growing regularity. It is vital to know where your items are, how many of them are, and where they should be for greater efficiency. Accessing critical information from various locations in close to real-time is a crucial element in the future of logistics. In a world where consumers desire same-day delivery, technology is essential to bring together all the inventory, storage, packaging, and delivery elements.

The labour to run the show

As eCommerce increases impact the logistics industry, the demand for quality labour will only increase. Skilled, quality workers will be needed to produce increased inventory, storage centres, returns processing, and transport options. Logistics systems will need well-trained candidates for IT and data entry. Every area within the logistics industry will see increased demand for personnel to service them.

This demand for labour will also come with uncertainty and variability. The ability to hire trusted candidates for peak periods will be essential in managing the logistical challenges of increased eCommerce.

Conclusion

With eCommerce demanding faster, more reliable shipping, companies need to turn to technology to track better and understand their shipments. Innovative packaging methods can also protect perishable or sensitive goods from uncertain conditions on the road. The IoT will play a big role in the future of logistics, too: sensors connected to packages and vessels will be able to update carriers in real-time with information about the location and status of shipments. Online retail is expanding faster than the logistics industry can innovate – but through partnerships and embracing new technology, worldwide transportation can allow eCommerce to flourish further and usher in a new age of shipping.