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Editorial: Why finding the perfect delivery solution is no easy task

DeliveryX

The headline says it all. Finding the perfect delivery solution isn’t easy. Retailers, their partners and new disruptors are focusing on trying to find the Holy Grail but are we there yet? Certainly not. Innovators are attracting huge amounts of investment because the investors too realise the importance of getting the delivery experience just right and finally delivering the perfect consumer experience that everyone craves.
But this week’s news that Doddle is refocussing its business model is a stark warning of just how tough the chance of finding the perfect model is. The click and collect company is now moving away from its standalone store strategy and closing 17 of the stores leaving only 6 operating. It will focus instead on third party locations though claims ambitious targets of 500 of these by Christmas (it has a tenth of that at the moment). Will it hit anywhere near that target? Who knows.

Doddle isn’t the only company to not be having a good week. Two man delivery specialist ArrowXL has been hit by a major fire at its Worcester hub that destroyed its warehouse there. The company has revealed its back to business as usual from today however after moving its operations from Worcester for Chepstow for the time being.

There’s more positive news elsewhere. XPO Logistics has won a new contract with independent skincare and cosmetics brands retailer Beauty Bay whilst an initial partnership between two supply chain specialists has turned into a new business venture. The Canute Group and Core Management Logistics (CML) have now partnered to form a new enterprise called TouchPoint, after initially working together on a project for retailer Office Depot.

In Sweden meanwhile, we hear that missed deliveries could truly be a thing of the past with two partners now trialling an inside the door delivery solution that will allow parcels to be delivered to home even when out. Personally it’s not something I’d be comfortable with but it is another example of the various innovations that are being trialled and another reminder that finding the perfect solution isn’t easy.

And in our opinion piece this week we have Paul Galpin, managing director of P2P Mailing, reminding us of the value of trackable services and pointing out the impact it can have on consumer choices as a result. He makes some interesting points so do check it out if you haven’t already.

Finally if you missed eDelivery Expo (EDX) or simply want to see your favourite speakers in action again then videos of the presentations are now available online. Go to http://edeliveryexpo.com/ to check them out. We’ll be covering more of the sessions from EDX in the coming weeks too.

Till next week!

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