The logistics industry has been in a state of flux since the outbreak of the global pandemic. Consumer habits drastically changed in light of the circumstances of the previous year. A drastic shift towards e-commerce occurred as people were forced to adapt to government restrictions, like lockdowns and sheltering-in-place.
Along with this sudden transition, the demand for the services of supply chain and logistics companies also increased substantially. The e-commerce boom is expected to persist even after more than a year of living within the context of the global pandemic. As a result, consumers will continue to expect more improvements from the logistics industry.
The Demand for Logistics
The shift away from physical stores to online shopping has always been anticipated. Increasing reliance on technology would eventually lead everyone to accomplish most, if not all, their daily operations from their devices.
The sudden outbreak of the global pandemic accelerated this transition by approximately five years. Working hand-in-hand with the e-commerce industry is logistics. Of course, part of the appeal of shopping online is the convenience and safety of having goods delivered directly to consumers’ homes.
Now, the logistics industry has also been forced to undergo massive improvements in a short amount of time. Several logistics companies have been challenged to redefine and incorporate various innovations into their operations to improve their services. Here are the growing trends that logistics companies should focus on to continue benefiting from the e-commerce boom.
Minimal Costs
The demand for more affordable logistics options has been increasing as the widespread use of these services continues. Moreover, the sudden need for logistics companies has greatly strained supply chains. Coupled with blockages due to the global pandemic, this has lead to shortages which can drastically cause prices to climb for businesses and consumers alike.
One of the best ways to mitigate this issue is by thoroughly monitoring costs. Package weight, in particular, significantly determines the prices of deliveries. Logistics companies should invest heavily in more accurate instruments for weighing, like load cell kits. This will provide them with a cost-effective solution while guaranteeing fair prices for consumers.
Sustainable Deliveries
Aside from the sudden outbreak of the global pandemic, the previous year also made the consequences of the climate crisis more apparent. This has lead consumers to become more conscious about their environmental footprint. As a result, they will also be more likely to support logistics companies with a reputation for sustainability. Going green is vital for the logistics industry.
Transportation wastes make up a significant amount of global greenhouse emissions. Logistics companies should consider substituting traditional packaging with more eco-friendly materials as a good way to make the industry more sustainable. Utilizing low carbon fuel for vehicles is also a viable option. These simple changes can greatly improve customer retention.
Better Technologies
The easiest way for the logistics industry to drastically improve its services is by investing in promising technologies. Adopting these innovations can also prove to deliver substantial returns on investments. There are already plenty of technological developments that companies can incorporate into their operations to reshape the industry for the better.
For instance, investing in artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms can help create more personalized experiences for consumers. Companies that have seamless end-to-end services will definitely stand out among the others. The increasing reliance on robots, particularly for storage and retrieval in warehouse management, can offer improved productivity while cutting down on costs.
Vehicles of the Future
Alongside the adoption of better technologies, the logistics industry should also draw their attention to more efficient modes of transportation. Last-mile deliveries, or the movement of goods towards their final destinations, is the most crucial point for logistics companies and their consumers. In hopes of improving on this, companies should rethink their mobility.
The adoption of drone deliveries has become an increasingly popular solution. Since the approval of commercial drone deliveries, several companies have been racing to develop their airborne capabilities. Autonomous trucks are also expected to hit the roads in a couple of years. These are just some innovations that can greatly reduce the distance of the last mile by improving efficiency.
The Road Ahead
The logistics industry stands to gain the most from the sudden boom in e-commerce. This has already been apparent over the previous year since the global pandemic hit. The number of consumers who will continue to support online shopping is only expected to rise, even in the post-pandemic world.
This will also lead to increasing demand for all types of logistical solutions. Companies should consider adopting these trends into their operations in hopes of creating a stable foundation for the months and years to come.
