New Logistics Challenges for Businesses in 2022

We are facing a new and challenging year that presupposes a safe return to offices and the opening of physical stores. Although these developments may once again generate a change in people's consumption habits, the resilience of businesses and their partnership with a logistics service must still be a priority since e-commerce will continue being among consumers’ preferred buying methods.

Before this development comes, great challenges will arise. Here is a review of the situations that businesses that work with the LMD (last-mile delivery) sector may encounter in 2022 and the years to come.

1. Appearance of Multishipments

Although the request for multiple orders was already common for online stores, after the pandemic, stores that had few logistics services had to improve their delivery systems to facilitate multiple shipments in short periods of time.

In this scenario, technology has played a fundamental role. Through tools such as intelligent algorithms, it is possible to determine the number and types of vehicles required for a multi-delivery service and make improvements to the route, resulting in faster delivery times and cost savings of up to 50 percent compared to traditional logistics services.

2. Seeing and setting customer experience as a priority, not an option

Given the growing demand for LMD services, it is very common to hear about poor customer service issues. For this reason, it is important to take into account various factors that will determine how to make the best shipment and avoid specific situations that would negatively affect business, all based on the consumer's experience.

Thus, issues such as the personalization of deliveries through package wrappers, personalized text messages, short calls or details provided by delivery companies when making a delivery have become viable options when making shipments for both logistics services and companies that provide the product.

3. Improving reverse logistics services

Let's not forget the reverse logistics. One of the main reasons potential customers don't shop online is the returns process. According to the Mexican Association of Online Sales data, 30 percent of Mexicans have mentioned that it is necessary to improve the return process for this type of purchase.

In this sense, it is essential to define a customer return policy to simplify the claim process for both parties: the logistics service and the business that offers the product.

Making the reverse logistics process easy for the customer increases the return rate of the client dramatically and even secures the next purchase, granting the customers a peaceful state of mind.

4. Find the best LMD product for them

One of the main elements for any company to complete shipments is to determine which product best suits their logistics needs.

To know this, it is important that the company understand its target needs and the demand temporality of its product. Is it urgent? Could it wait till the end of the day or the next day? Having a clear path of demographic data, knowing the transfer capabilities of its products, among other things, will not only save money but also improve the customer experience.

With this, companies can determine the type of vehicle they require, the possible routes they can take and finally, the type of product they require from their LMD partner.

5. New technologies in favor of express delivery and sustainability

With the exponential development of messaging services and the urge to find better eco-friendly delivery practices, businesses must take advantage of technology and consider it as a big part of their strategy.

The algorithms of the last-mile service will allow in 2022 the hyper-personalization of shipments, the specific programming of delivery hours, delivery mailboxes, pick-up service in branches, and even the preparation of packages so that people can pick them up at convenience stores. Flexibility is key to optimizing the operation of any business and to keep looking for eco-friendly logistics practices.

All this is always in favor of both the delivery service provider and the client, who, in the end, is the main beneficiary of the implementation of these technologies.