5 Practical Ways to Solve Last Mile Delivery Problems

Be it a Formula 1 event or a marathon, the last mile is always the most crucial part of any race. Acing the last mile is the ultimate test for every competitor before they can have the sweet taste of victory. In the world of logistics, the scenario is not so different. Especially with the rapid growth of eCommerce, brands are in relentless competition to reach customers faster than ever. This is where last-mile delivery plays an important role in determining the viability of your brand.

According to a survey by Capgemini, 75% of customers are ready to spend more to ensure a seamless last mile delivery experience. But last-mile logistics comes up with its own set of challenges, in terms of cost, efficiency, and infrastructure. It is the most expensive stage of the delivery process, accounting for nearly 53% of the total logistics cost. Even a small roadblock in the last mile can incur a hefty expense for your business.

In India, the most common last-mile delivery challenges can be boiled down to the lack of two factors: technology and transparency. Having a solid tech framework to support your logistics can help in route optimization and faster deliveries. On the other hand, improving the visibility of your orders can build customer trust and reduce RTOs. Read on to find out five ways to solve your last-mile delivery problem before you send out the next order.

1. Shorten last mile distance

Last mile delivery categorically refers to the movement of goods from the transportation hub to the customer’s home. The nearer your goods are to your customer, the faster you can deliver them.

This can be done by storing your inventory in micro-fulfillment centers. These are small warehouses located near your customer’s location, each of which manages orders for a particular Pincode or radius in last-mile logistics. You can also opt for a logistics service that does omnichannel pickups, even from your retail outlets in the city.

2. Optimize delivery routes

In the age of advanced route optimization software, your delivery executive should not have to rely on intuition to find the fastest route. This software helps to map out the fastest and most cost-efficient route between the pickup point and destination. The predictions are nearly 100% accurate since the best software like RoadWarrior, Onfleet, WorkWave, etc take real-time variables into account.

Leading last-mile logistics companies generally offer their in-built route optimization software to eCommerce businesses for last-mile delivery. For instance, businesses partnering with Blowhorn can leverage our AI-powered route optimization software at zero added cost.

3. Improve end-to-end visibility

What if your customer is not getting timely updates on their order? There is a high chance that they will cancel the order, even if it is in the last mile delivery transit. To avoid losses from Return-To-Origin Orders (RTOs), it is important to improve end-to-end visibility.

Empower your business with tech support, so you can share real-time tracking updates. For example, delivery management software can keep your customers informed about every step of the first-mile to last-mile delivery process. This can include but is not limited to:

Alerts and SMS notifications on ETAs, potential delays, or operational issues.
Track and trace option for a more interactive customer experience.

4. Activate same-day delivery

A 2021 Global Consumer Survey by PWC revealed that 41% of consumers are willing to pay extra for same-day delivery. In fact, a high number of customers don’t mind paying an additional charge to receive their packages within 3-4 hours.

This is why all businesses need to put extra emphasis on last-mile delivery as optimizing last-mile logistics can cut down the delivery time significantly.

5. Choose the right last-mile logistics, partner

Whether you are a big eCommerce giant or a small business, it is not easy and convenient to maintain your own fleet for logistics. This is why more and more brands today are opting for a logistics partner, who takes care of end-to-end fulfillment including last-mile logistics.

A reliable, energy-efficient, and superfast 3PL partner solves all your logistics worries, from first-mile pickups to last-mile deliveries. For instance, over 150 brands in India have partnered with Blowhorn for their last mile logistics and boosted their growth with the best last mile delivery experience. Sign up with Blowhorn in minutes to give your business the edge over competitors.

Need more advice on foolproofing your last-mile deliveries? Reach out to us anytime at shoutout@blowhorn.com or contact our experts here.