No ecommerce without logistics. Because whenever a consumer orders something online, that product has to be shipped from one place (a warehouse or fulfilment centre) to another (the consumer’s house, a pick-up point, et cetera). So logistics play a very important role in the whole ecommerce process. In order to achieve success in the online retail industry, one has to have a very solid logistics plan in place.
Swiss supermarket chain Migros has launched a new social shopping platform, called Amigos. Through this platform, Migros’ customers get connected with people who like to receive packages and earn some money by bringing the products to the original customer. Continue reading
DPD Germany is ‘highly satisfied’ with the results of its pilot project to use electrically assisted transport bikes to deliver parcels to consumers. It started with the test in the northern Bavarian city of Nuremberg one year ago and now wants to launch further deliveries by transport bike in Germany. Continue reading
Deutsche Post DHL Group has opened a new fulfillment center in the United Kingdom. In the English town of Radlett, an area of about 6,500 square meters offers same-day processing for the Greater London area. DHL already operates a similar fulfillment center in Germany and is now working to open such centers in the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. Continue reading
French postal service company La Poste has launched Colissimo Pass, a subscription service which offers customers unlimited free delivery. Currently, the subscription service costs 9 euros per year. In return, customers enjoy unlimited delivery and zero shipping costs on partner websites. Continue reading
GLS Germany has announced it will now offer faster parcel shipping via its PaketShops. The delivery time has been reduced to one or two business days for parcels that go to Austria or the Benelux region. Parcels to most other neighboring countries will take about 48 hours. Continue reading
Palletways Italia, which distributes palletized goods, has entered the ecommerce market in Italy. This is the result of a partnership with White Horse Energy, a UK company that has entered the Italian market with its online sales of dried firewood and pellets. Continue reading
Swiss Post has acquired the Swiss startup Notime, which provides bicycle courier services. The acquisition should help Swiss Post with gaining more ground in the fast-growing market of same-day deliveries and fast, flexible deliveries in urban areas. Continue reading
Members of the European Parliament have adopted a proposal to make the cross-border parcel delivery market in Europe more transparent and competitive. The European Union will implement new rules, which should lead to lower delivery costs for online consumers. Continue reading
Issues with stock levels are a major factor that affects the consumer’s decision to shop online. In the United Kingdom, more than half of consumers immediately turn to a competitor if the item they want is out of stock. Continue reading
K-Group, a major retail company from Finland, has started a pilot with automatic parcel terminals. The new service allows online buyers to have parcels from online stores from everywhere in the world to be shipped to a terminal at a K-Group store. Continue reading