Retail is a fast-paced industry that requires constant innovation and adaptation to meet customer expectations and stay ahead of the competition. However, many retailers face challenges in managing their operations efficiently and effectively, especially when it comes to logistics and delivery. And this is a critical issue because retail is a low-margin, highly competitive business where every point of optimization matters.
In today's macroeconomic context, the balance is tipped in favor of the customer. With more choices available from local and cross-border retailers and a lower willingness to spend, customer satisfaction and loyalty are paramount. Logistics and delivery can make or break your entire business. Customers expect fast, reliable, convenient, and affordable delivery options for their online purchases. They also want real-time tracking and seamless communication regarding their orders.
On the other hand, retailers need to optimize logistics costs, reduce errors and delays, increase visibility and control over their supply chain, and coordinate with multiple delivery partners. This is where the Postis Platform comes into play, offering a comprehensive solution to streamline your last-mile delivery operations.
The Last-Mile Delivery Challenge
Last-mile delivery refers to the final step of the delivery process, from a transportation hub to the customer's doorstep. It's often the most critical and challenging part of the delivery process, significantly impacting customer satisfaction and business profitability.
Key Challenges:
- Rising Consumer Expectations. In an on-demand economy, speed and reliability are expected. Same-day and next-day deliveries are becoming the norm, and failing to meet these expectations can harm your brand's reputation and customer lifetime value.
- Urbanization and Traffic Congestion. Increased urbanization leads to traffic congestion, complicating delivery routes and extending delivery times. Navigating these urban areas increases fuel consumption and costs, affecting both efficiency and the environment.
- Complexity and Costs. Last-mile delivery can constitute more than half of the total shipping cost due to inefficiencies inherent in this stage of fulfillment. Variability in delivery locations, narrow delivery windows, and complex route planning contribute to escalating expenses.
- Lack of Real-Time Visibility. Without real-time data, businesses lack the transparency needed to proactively address issues and keep customers informed, leading to frustration and a negative customer experience.
Introducing the Postis Platform
The Postis Platform is a cloud-based software solution that helps retailers streamline their logistics and delivery processes using artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. It unifies delivery operations into one user-friendly platform, connecting all the dots to create a flawless fulfillment experience for everyone involved.
Key Features:
- Integration with Existing Systems. Easily integrates with e-shop platforms, TMS, ERP, and WMS systems. It captures online orders automatically or allows for manual imports into your physical store's system.
- Process Automation. Automates the selection of the optimal delivery method based on multiple criteria such as cost, speed, quality, availability, location, and customer preference.
- Real-Time Visibility. Provides end-to-end traceability with real-time monitoring of delivery performance, order statuses, and proactive alerts for any delivery errors or operational issues.
- Customer Experience Enhancement. Engages customers with personalized delivery options, real-time communication, accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA) notifications, and live tracking links.
- Data Analytics and Insights. Offers powerful analytics and reporting tools for data-driven decision-making, including custom reports and performance tracking based on key performance indicators (KPIs).
How the Postis Platform Improves Productivity Across Your Business
IT Ecosystem Integration
- Unified Management. Centrally manage multiple delivery partners through a single interface, aggregating customer orders from any origin.
- Quick Activation. Zero-day activation for new carriers and delivery options.
- Streamlined Data Flows. Automates data flows for a more scalable and reliable IT ecosystem.
Results: Shift IT teams to focus on strategic programs, reduce capital expenditures, and benefit from perpetual updates and upgrades.
Process Streamlining and Automation
- Optimized Delivery Options. Automatically selects the best delivery option for each order based on predefined criteria.
- Supplier Performance Monitoring. Tracks the performance of each delivery partner to improve service quality.
- Error Reduction. Minimizes manual intervention, reducing the likelihood of errors.
Results: Achieve 25% lower shipping costs, 20% fewer returns, 25% fewer out-of-SLA deliveries, and 15% higher efficiency with zero errors in data processing.
Unified Data Management
- Comprehensive Analytics. Aggregates and analyzes data from orders, deliveries, customers, and partners.
- Customizable Reporting. Offers out-of-the-box templates, multi-dimensional dashboards, and deep customization.
- Informed Decision-Making. Provides insights and recommendations for improving logistics efficiency.
Results: Enhanced visibility leads to better strategic decisions and operational improvements.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Real-Time Tracking. Allows all departments to track the status of every order from warehouse to doorstep.
- Improved Customer Service. Customer support teams have instant access to current order status and delivery history for proactive troubleshooting.
- Marketing and Sales Alignment. Enables rapid response to customer satisfaction issues and supports new sales channels and product categories.
Results:
- Customer Support. 25% reduction in call center complaints and 82% reduction in "Where is my package?" inquiries.
- Marketing. 20% reduction in shopping cart abandonment, 25% increase in Net Promoter Score (NPS), and 10% increase in average order value.
- Sales. Higher sales volumes, larger customer base, more frequent purchases, and increased average order value.
If you're interested in learning more about how the Postis Platform can help you improve productivity and efficiency in your retail business, we're here to help. Book a live demo today and discover how our flexible, intuitive platform can be tailored to solve the challenges your logistics teams face every day.
