It is likely that in recent years you have heard or read on several occasions the boom and the challenges faced in the last mile, the success factor in e-commerce in Mexico, learn more about it.
The last mile is the term used in commerce to define the last delivery process of an e-commerce order to the final customer. It is the last link in the logistics chain for the product to reach the final consumer, so it is a double-edged sword for companies.
Just as it can be the success factor and differentiator from the competition for its prompt delivery and for meeting delivery expectations and having satisfied customers; it can also be the reason why a customer does not make a purchase again, due to late deliveries or logistical problems, and in extreme cases, the bad reputation of the company.
What does the future hold for the last mile?
Warehouse management is one of the main challenges within the last mile, since you must maintain an adequate inventory in warehouses close to customers, and it is often complicated to achieve this due to the limited supply of space within cities and the high demand for e-commerce.
Vertical warehouses are beginning to be in the Asian continent and will continue to be around the world the new technological tool that will revolutionize the future of the last mile.
“In Mexico and Latin America, we will not yet see them in the short term, but it is a trend, the most innovative there has been in recent years, in the industrial logistics market. Vertical warehouses are the future of logistics and distribution; their implementation will represent a transformation of supply chains.” (Erick Brunett in El Economista, 2023, para.12)
It is not so common to see them because they are atypical and very expensive constructions in terms of robotized structures and inventory management software that are complex; so, if someone builds it, it must be amortized as soon as possible because it is an atypical property and it is more difficult for someone to want it.
Strategies to improve your last mile delivery.
Regardless of whether the company is a last mile delivery specialist or just part of its services, there must be a strategy for this service, whether it’s planning routes, setting different deadlines in your online sales, etc.
Here are some strategies if you want your last mile service to be successful:
- Use of technology and the cloud.
- Fleet management and route planning.
- Last mile control and management.
- Real-time tracking of the product until delivery.
- Service quality measurement.
- Continuous improvement in customer experiences.
- Sub-process accuracy.
- Constant communication between company, transport, and customer.
- Problem resolution plan in place.
- Diversity in delivery methods.
As we continue to move forward in the digital age, it is imperative that the last mile industry evolves by finding a balance between efficiency, convenience, and sustainability in order to ensure a future where the last mile is a harmonious and beneficial component of our globalized society.