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.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • 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
    • 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
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Customers prefer reliable two-day delivery over missed next-day service
CSCMP EDGE 2021

Customers prefer reliable two-day delivery over missed next-day service

Rising complexity of last mile delivery process pushes retailers to hone customer communications, Edge panel says.

September 21, 2021
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

As last mile delivery becomes increasingly complex, retailers may find that providing reliable two-day delivery may win them greater customer appreciation than promising next-day service and missing that window, panelists said at a session today at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)’s Edge conference.

Supply chain challenges at ports and highways are making it increasingly difficult to meet strict delivery schedules, prompting some experts to define the last mile leg as a unique category, separate from the traditional sectors of vehicle routing and schedule and of transportation management system (TMS) software, Gartner’s research vice president for transportation technologies, Bart De Muynck, said during a talk titled “How to Counteract the Growing Complexity in Last Mile.”

One reason for that step is the growing mix of transportation partners needed to move parcels from end to end, he said. In addition to traditional parcel delivery firms like DHL, Purolator, and UPS, that list now includes options like local couriers/integrators, crowdsourcing models like Grubhub or Uber Eats, special-care less than truckload (LTL) delivery and installation services, LTL service without installation, and full truckload.

However, when a retailer may now choose between several dozen regional carriers to whisk a package to a single address, they increasingly struggle to answer the classic customer question of “Where’s my order?” said Rick DiMaio, senior vice president for supply chain at Office Depot.

Technology can help, with applications such as dynamic rate shopping, parcel optimization, real-time delivery slots, real-time dynamic routing, last mile delivery visibility, customer experience management, and digital collaboration.

But unless data is perfectly integrated between all those platforms and technologies, the solution can create more problems than it solves, DiMaio said. So the company has been focusing its efforts on making—and meeting—realistic delivery estimates for most orders instead of chasing next-day delivery across the board.

 

E-Commerce
KEYWORDS CSCMP EDGE Gartner, Inc. Office Depot
  • Related Articles

    DeliveryCircle Provides Shippers with Same-Day Delivery at Next Day Prices

    Gartner survey signals increased investment in resilience over the next two years

    Report: Logistics outsourcing budgets to grow over next two years

Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

Cargo volume down in Oakland

Safety experts to headline National Forklift Safety Day 2022 program on June 14

FedEx and Aurora expand autonomous trucking pilot

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

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Logistics pros warn of business impact from Russia-Ukraine war

  • Container prices continue to drop

  • How to resolve your inventory dilemma

  • Warehouse vacancy rates sink to 27-year low

  • Empty shipping containers stack up at U.S. port depots

Featured Video

Cccb7d13 710a 4473 8132 da8b6cc286f1

The Sportsman's Guide Case study: Increasing Accuracy & Productivity

Viewer Contributed
Thanks to the Lucas Warehouse Optimization Suite, The Sportsman's Guide has increased productivity, reduced training time, and experienced a boost in accuracy for both full-time staff and seasonal employees. Want to learn how Lucas can help your DC be more efficient, accurate, and safe while reducing labor costs?...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Omnitracs One – Last Mile Solutions

  • The enterprise shipper's guide to building a smarter truckload RFP

  • Fixed vs. Flexible Automation: Which Option is Better for 3PLs?

  • Enhancing Relationships in Logistics through Data & Collaboration

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

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

Copyright ©2022. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing