WHAT IS LAST MILE SHIPPING?
There’s no such thing as “close enough” in Ecommerce. Even if an order makes it across the country in a day or two, it won’t mean anything to the consumer if his or her package ends up sitting in a distribution center a mile away for days on end. It’s also not likely that a shopper will be impressed with how quickly an order is shipped if it is lost on the way to his or her porch. When it comes to living up to consumers’ lofty expectations for the delivery of their online purchases, getting only part of the way isn’t good enough.
This illustrates the importance of last-mile shipping in the omnichannel world. Even if your business does absolutely everything right, botching the final leg of the journey can ruin your reputation and your brand. As with every other component of your supply chain, there are a lot of moving parts that can break down and cause you trouble, even if the last mile is less than one mile.
Most consumers don’t realize the impact of last mile deliveries. Costly and intricate, last mile and home deliveries provide supply chains the opportunity to sink or swim when it comes to customer satisfaction. With the explosive growth of Ecommerce giants, like Amazon, customers have grown to expect one – and two-day delivery. But how do smaller supply chains keep up?
Last mile delivery focuses on getting products to recipients as quickly, accurately and as cost-effectively as possible. Considering the importance of last mile delivery, businesses might benefit from understanding the broader logistics landscape. Learn more about what is logistics outsourcing to enhance your supply chain operations.The supply chain has seen many disruptions in last mile delivery success in the past year due to supply shortages, inaccurate forecasting, and evolving demands from customers. To address these challenges, it’s crucial to have a robust warehousing solution. Discover the benefits of third-party logistics and how it can streamline your operations.
HOW LAST MILE LOGISTICS WORK
Getting your goods to a distribution hub is only a partial victory. Every step of this procedure has to be executed as efficiently as possible to ensure you live up to your customers’ expectations and don’t shoulder more of the burden than is necessary.
Even before they arrive, the last mile transportation process has kicked into gear. Last-mile shipping actually begins before the product moves an inch, with the creation of the order and its assigned tracking number. This number enables you and your customer to monitor the status of the package every step of the way.
After the package arrives at the distribution center, it needs to be assigned to a driver as quickly as possible. This involves determining which truck will be close enough to the recipient’s address to ensure the most efficient delivery. As soon as this is completed, the item can be scanned to update the tracking information and loaded onto the vehicle. Ideally, the parcel is dropped off at the customer’s door or mailbox within the delivery estimate provided at checkout.
Third-party logistics (3PL) providers are of vital importance to last-mile delivery in Ecommerce. Even giants such as Amazon and Walmart rely on 3PL companies when their own fleets can’t complete the last stage of delivery with the right degree of efficiency. The right 3PL partner should have the fleet, technology and procedures in place to ensure a smooth transition when taking over for the home stretch.
THE BENEFITS OF GOOD LAST MILE SHIPPING
Successfully completing deliveries isn’t a bonus — it’s absolutely essential in today’s Ecommerce landscape. In case the advantages of last-mile shipping weren’t already apparent, here are some of the reasons you should pay close attention to how you’re handling this phase of your logistics:
● Customer satisfaction: Perhaps the most important reason to establish good last mile processes is because your customers are counting on you to do so. For better or worse, consumers have set high standards for delivery services. With so many Ecommerce alternatives crowding the marketplace right now, you don’t want to give consumers any reason to buy from another source.
● Lower costs: Having the most efficiently managed last-mile shipping does a lot more than ensure timely deliveries. It also means you won’t have to spend as much money for each one. Optimized routes mean lower fuel costs. Delivering as quickly as possible also means your inventory spends less time idling in warehouses or distribution centers.
● Enhanced visibility: A properly handled last-mile process means shoppers have the ability to watch their packages being delivered in real-time. This enhances the convenience factor and makes it easier for you to set expectations and keep your promises.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM LAST MILE SHIPPING?
There are a wide range of industries that should be very interested in using last mile shipping to serve their customer base. These include:
● Ecommerce retailers
● Grocery stores
● Electronics manufacturers
TRUST WSI FOR LAST MILE EXPERTISE
For over 50 years, WSI has helped customers succeed with reliable, integrated third-party logistics. Thanks to our reliable transportation solutions and positive relationships with major carriers, WSI can successfully manage customers’ delivery expectations in a cost-effective way. Here is a look at the most common challenges we see businesses struggling within last mile delivery and the top solutions to tackle those obstacles.
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