Is the Last Mile the Last Challenge for Retailers?

Big names in retail, like Target and Amazon/Whole Foods, are investing heavily in same-day delivery services that do the job quickly and accurately. These decisions are in response to the reality that delivery is transitioning from an add-on service to a basic service.

Retailers are realizing that customers expect “convenience” and “connectivity,” according to Rohan Duggal, co-founder of EpiFruit, an on-demand delivery platform in New York. He further explains that Amazon and Google make these services a priority. They are also able to offer lower prices, which make it tough for the small business to compete.

Duggal says the answer to smaller local shops is that those who can offer fresh food items like produce that can meet local demand will survive this trend, as people are willing to visit their neighborhood businesses for those items. 

The logistics of a delivery service are not as simple as they sound. Using store employees doesn’t really work, and in paying certain services by the trip, retailers often pay for the return trip, which is of no value to them. And many third-party solutions run into similar problems and also deal with high employee turnover rates. So, Duggal and EpiFruit are utilizing a concept that makes use of Internet communications and independent delivery people.

Duggal argues that this different type of third-party platform, one that arranges contract workers to provide services, is a better answer to the delivery dilemma. This open market platform allows contract professionals to bid on tasks. Admittedly Uber-esque in nature, this solution means retailers can pay a lower rate for their delivery tasks and pay one-way only. The process is simplified for store owners and managers. In this platform retailers can choose from a range of delivery professionals based on ratings or other needs. It’s also advisable, says Duggal, to have an accountability system in place with whomever you choose as well as a reliable tracking system. 

Read more at Food Engineering

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

healthcare cybersecurity
Continued Threats Require a Major Shift in Healthcare Cybersecurity Risk Perception
March 28, 2024

Recent cyberattacks on healthcare institutions have thrust cybersecurity from a back-office concern to the forefront of the healthcare industry’s agenda. A significant breach at Change Healthcare disrupted essential services, underlining the vulnerability of healthcare networks to such threats and the dire consequences for patient care. Government and industry responses have stressed the importance of […]

Read More
next chapter
Keith Elias: Pro Sports Retirement Doesn’t Have to Be a Fumble. NFL’s Support Systems Ease Transition to Next Chapter
March 28, 2024

The spotlight is shifting, we’re not just cheering on professional athletes during their prime, but also wondering what happens when the final whistle blows as they move from the peaks of their careers into the next chapter of their lives. The conversation turns to the challenges they face outside the sporting arena and the […]

Read More
Shaping the Future of Warehouses: Key Takeaways from MODEX 2024
Shaping the Future of Warehouses: Key Takeaways from MODEX 2024
March 28, 2024

As the logistics and material handling sectors pivot towards recovery and innovation, MODEX 2024 emerges as the crucible of transformation. With an attendance spike reminiscent of pre-pandemic vigor—up by 30%—the event has become the epicenter of technological showcases, signaling a new chapter for industry efficiencies. The stakes? A competitive edge in an industry where, […]

Read More
IWCE 2024
Icom Hits Orlando for the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE 2024)
March 28, 2024

Icom America’s Jon Paul Beauchamp was in Orlando, Florida for IWCE 24, the International Wireless Communications Expo. Beauchamp sent greetings from Icom’s Booth, #805. Catch all of the highlights at Icom America.

Read More