The Importance of Logistics in Retail
Whether you are ordering large appliances online or new clothes for your summer wardrobe, these items will all be reaching you through the important process of retail logistics. Consumers today expect a fast and efficient service when ordering online, to meet these expectations it is important to offer them both a desirable product but also the correct shipment options to suit them.
The operations of retail logistics ensure a streamlined process which includes everything from inventory management to shipping. To provide the optimal customer experience it is important to overview your logistics strategy. Things to consider are demand, shipping costs and shipping times as these are top priority for consumers.
With ecommerce customers shopping from all four corners of the globe, the industry is only set to keep growing. This means the importance of logistics in retail has never been greater, only with effective supply chain management can businesses hope to keep up with growing demand and thrive online.
What is Retail Logistics?
In the retail industry, more often than not, logistics refers to the movement of goods between manufacturers to shops, warehouses or direct to the customer. As the retail industry grows digitally, logistics becomes increasingly important to the core survival of businesses. Maintaining an efficient supply chain in retail means ensuring customers receive products in perfect condition in a timely manner for the right price.
The different stages of retail logistics include, receiving goods to a warehouse, management of received inventory, order fulfilment and ultimately the shipping of those orders. Every one of these stages must be optimised in order to meet the expectations outlined above, whereby customers increasingly expect speed and affordability when placing an order.
In order to maintain these levels of efficiency and customer satisfaction, retail logistics requires a balance of an efficient workforce and up to date supply chain technologies to support those workers.
How can Retail Logistics be improved?
Investing in Technology
To bridge the gap between consumer need and logistics, technology can provide an incredible insight to better understand your customer and adapt accordingly. Keeping up to date with the latest in logistics technologies can help with various aspects of fulfilment from incoming orders, inventory management and shipping delays.
Outsourcing Logistics
As a brand grows there are moments where calculated risk must be taken to encourage further expansion. One of these risks is outsourcing your logistics and fulfilment options. When businesses outsource their retail logistics to third parties it can lead to reduction in costs and increase in productivity as the logistics company are experts in this field and can access competitive pricing and efficient logistics networks.
How can Xpediator help?
Our retail logistics specialist, Delamode International Logistics, is among the leading port-centric retail logistics companies in the UK and Europe. Delamode provides port-centric logistics, retail supply chain services, warehouse storage, order fulfilment services, pre-retail, and distribution of multi-channel retail orders, right across the UK and Continental Europe.
More information on this service can be found here: https://xpediator.com/services/express-supply-chain-logistics-services/
