Peak last-mile delivery seasons come with various challenges. There are shipping delays, capacity crunches, peak surcharges, and labor shortages that cut across the entire supply chain industry. Every upcoming peak season has an unprecedented complication, and strategizing a successful last mile supply chain is inevitable to meet customers’ demands.
Furthermore, the increased demand for online delivery puts pressure on retailers. Customers are looking for same-day or hour deliveries with real-time communication alerts during the process. Businesses should ensure they have an efficient last mile delivery to satisfy all these needs. A happy customer is a repeat customer who will help to generate more income.
The peak season marks the busiest time of the year. Therefore, it would be best to use top strategies that will help streamline your delivery operations effectively. Here are some ways leading businesses are using to meet their customers’ expectations during this critical time of the year.
Providing Same-/Next-Day Deliveries
An extra hour during the delivery period is enough for a customer to start thinking of alternatives. Most online buyers purchase goods on demand, and they want to get them at their convenience. You can only meet such extreme demand by ensuring your delivery is fast in the peak sessions.
Luckily, you can achieve this during the busy times of the year by partnering with a reliable last mile logistics provider who offers flexibility in scaling up or down based on the changing demands. They help to optimize delivery operations and ensure you always meet your customers’ needs. Equally important, choose a provider that offers 24/7 service delivery to optimize opportunities for late-hour injections.
Real Time Package Tracking
Digital Commerce 360 reports that about 93% of online consumers want to stay informed along the delivery process. The same survey found out that 47% of consumers will not order again from a company with poor delivery visibility. Therefore, package tracking is a crucial measure of trust that boosts customer loyalty to a brand.
The use of real-time tracking technologies that alerts both the end-user and other relevant people in the supply chain helps to enhance the consumer experience and decrease delivery periods. You can effectively enhance your last mile delivery during the peak season by using real-time tracking communications for customer retention and satisfaction.
Consider Going Green
IBM’s 2020 report on customer behavior shows that about 60% are willing to purchase products that have reduced environmental impact. Another 70% say they will pay more for products coming from environmentally responsible brands.
Therefore, it is inevitable to start providing products with a focus on sustainable development. You will increase your customer base and retain them. A good thing about a great consumer experience is that they remain loyal and understanding if deliveries are delayed. Ensure you alert and notify them of the changes in the delivery period.
Getting a technology-oriented, cost-effective, adaptable, and flexible logistics provider will help you streamline your last-mile delivery in the peak seasons. Elite EXTRA is a renown provider of convenient dispatch software that you can use for visibility and accurate package tracking to ensure your deliveries go as planned. Contact us today to get started or request a free demo.
Resources:
https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/EXK4XKX8
