We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Study: Last-mile challenges drive change in freight landscape
Forward Thinking

Study: Last-mile challenges drive change in freight landscape

December 20, 2019
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

The future of freight continues to evolve, as supply chains become more connected, holistic, and automated, according to a December study by Deloitte.

The "Future Movement of Goods" study points to a host of changes occuring in the freight landscape, especially when it comes to last-mile delivery. Investment in last-mile startups more than doubled from 2017 to 2018, reaching $3.9 billion and indicating a pending "significant disruption within the last mile of delivery," the study authors said.

"The foundation of a next-generation global movement of goods network is actively forming as companies of all sizes, including start-ups, put a focus on an end-to-end supply chain ecosystem with a critical eye on the last 1,000 feet of direct-to-consumer delivery," the study authors wrote. "From 2017 to 2018, the funding flow of "smart money" from capital investors to support last-mile delivery more than doubled. Plus, the trend of crowd-sourcing to accommodate and strengthen last-mile solutions for delivery of goods accounted for 72%, outpacing collection point network and lockers, digital aggregators, software and droids, and drones."

The authors explained that those trends are part of a larger shift in the freight industry toward a "next-generation supply chain" that is underpinned by three key elements: 

  • Connected community: The ability to collaborate and connect with partners to see across the network.
  • Holistic decision-making: The ability to harness and harmonize traditional and new data to continuously learn, optimize, and predict.
  • Intelligent automation: The ability to utilize the right human or machine for the task at hand and automate digital processes.

Such changes are creating a new ecosystem for the movement of goods—and requiring supply chain companies to evaluate where they stand in the new landscape so they can adapt to the changes, the authors also said.

"Over time, a global population of consumers demanding greater delivery volume, speed, flexibility, transparency, and convenience will force players to adapt. To get started, organizations should define their future ambitions and where to play in the future movement of goods ecosystem," Michael Daher, Deloitte principal and U.S. transportation practice leader said in a statement. "Guided by a strategic vision, organizations can begin examining how the foundational pillars, connected community, holistic decision-making, and intelligent automation, can help them win in chosen segments and markets—and the foundational and emerging capabilities required to enable those pillars."

Logistics Strategy
  • Related Articles

    Market throws last-mile providers a change-up

    KPMG predicts revolution in last-mile logistics

    Command Alkon on The Forces of Change That Drive Digitization in Construction

Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

Intermodal sector weathered a “challenging” year in 2022, IANA says

Freight sector missed the boat on strong U.S. economy in Q3 and Q4, FTR says

Freightos completes plan to go public on NASDAQ exchange, raises $80 million

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Forecasts call for freight rate slumps in 2023

  • Projected U.S. recession in early 2023 will soften freight market

  • Inflation drops again as interest rate hikes hit home, NRF says

  • How to avoid the next crisis: A new approach to supply chain agility

  • New Jersey truck fleet says Freightliner tractors will deliver safety as well as freight

Featured Video

20221107korber large vs

Enhancing Customer Experience with Your Supply Chain Strategy

Viewer Contributed
With the rise of e-commerce, many businesses have had to transform their warehouses to handle online orders in addition to regularly scheduled inventory shipments. This means warehouses need more information than ever before to ensure they can meet customers' needs. As a result, companies need to select warehouse...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • A shipper's guide to navigating post-pandemic holiday freight

  • THE NEW WAY TO WAREHOUSE: 4 Innovations in Automation & Robotics to Boost Warehouse Productivity

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing