Christmas may seem like an age away already but as the Christmas trading results continue to filter through there are still lessons to be learnt over delivery successes and failures and the importance of the supply chain and logistics side of a retailer’s business in delivering the perfect Christmas experience.
New research suggests that up to 20% of sales were lost by retailers over the Christmas period thanks to their customers switching to rivals either because product was out of stock or delivery times didn’t suit them. The figures show that whilst the industry generally coped well there is still more to be done – including around click and collect.
We also learnt this week just how quick some shoppers were around sending back those unwanted Christmas gifts with click and collect provider CollectPlus revealing the first return was on Christmas morning just after 7am, before many of us would even have ventured out of bed.
Understandably click and collect is a service retailers are always trying to improve – if only to achieve greater efficiencies and customer satisfaction. News this week that Doddle is launching a new technology solution for retailers based on its experience and expertise is likely to be welcomed therefore.
Technology is of course at the heart of any improvement in efficiency within the delivery and logistics industry and the formation of a new Technology Advisory Board from the UK Warehouse Association (UKWA) recognises that. The company’s first meeting will be held next month and aims to help the logistics industry better implement technology changes.
When it comes to technology advances however, it has to be robotics and robots that lead the way as we take another step closer to autonomous vehicles – be they drones or robots — delivering goods for us. The news that Starship Technologies is accelerating its plans for delivery robots after $17.5 million seed funding suggests we will see more exciting innovations coming.
Also on the expansion this week has been Kerry Logistics which revealed its second European acquisition in less than four weeks after the purchase of German firm Multi Logistics.
Bringing things in-house meanwhile is Tesco who has revealed a proposed distribution centre network consolidation that will reduce its number of warehouses and bring inhouse all warehouse and operations currently carried out by 3PLs DHL and Wincanton.
And finally
Don’t forget to put a date in your diary now for the third eDelivery Expo, which will take place at Birmingham’s NEC 5-6 April 2017. This week we have brought you a small taster of what’s to come and a reminder of last year’s great event. We will bring you more news, previews and speaker interviews in the coming weeks.
To learn more about the show and register for free visit www.edeliveryexpo.com/
