With the growth of online commerce, e-commerce logistics has become a strategic lever. It has a direct impact on the customer experience, business competitiveness and profitability. In this article, we look at the major challenges facing e-commerce logistics and the solutions for optimising your logistics flows using new technologies and best practices in the sector.

 

Why are e-commerce logistics so important?

 

A pillar of the customer experience

According to Capgemini (2022), 73 of customers say that delivery speed influences their loyalty to a brand. Optimised logistics make it possible to:

📉 Reduce delivery times.

❌ Avoid order errors.

🔄 Offer customers greater flexibility.

 

A logistics system specific to e-commerce

Unlike traditional commerce, e-commerce logistics is distinguished by:

📦 Individualised order management (small units, high frequency).

⏳ A need for speed and flexibility to meet customer expectations.

🏢 Fragmented stocks between several warehouses and relay points.

 

To meet these challenges, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) are essential.

 

How can you optimise your e-commerce logistics?

 

Manage activity peaks

Black Friday and the festive season can account for 30 of annual sales (McKinsey, 2022). Anticipate these periods by:

📈 Temporarily increasing your storage capacity.

🔄 Automating order preparation to avoid delays.

 

Optimise reverse logistics

Customer returns account for up to 30% of orders in some sectors (e.g. the fashion industry). Efficient reverse logistics makes it possible to:

📦 Manage returns quickly.

💰 Reduce operating costs.

😀 Improve the customer experience.

🔗 Find out more about reverse logistics

 

Optimise last-mile delivery

The last-mile accounts for up to 53% of logistics costs according to Acteos. To optimise this crucial stage:

🚏 Give preference to relay points and lockers to reduce delivery costs.

🚗 Use low-emission vehicles to limit your carbon footprint.

⚙️ Adopt route optimisation tools thanks to AI.

 

Equip yourself with a high-performance WMS

A WMS like Satelix Logistics helps you to:

📊 Track your stocks in real time.

🚀 Optimise order preparation.

📉 Reduce your error rate.

🔄 Automate your inventories.

 

Innovations that are revolutionising e-commerce logistics

 

Warehouse automation and robotisation

The integration of robots and automated systems reduces lead times and improves productivity.

👉🏻 This is the case with Amazon, which has deployed 3,000 robots in its Metz warehouse to speed up order preparation.

 

Artificial intelligence and data

Thanks to AI, companies can:

📊 Anticipate order peaks.

🚛 Optimise delivery routes.

🌱 Reduce costs and carbon footprint.

 

The development of micro-warehouses and quick commerce

These local infrastructures make it possible to:

⏳ Deliver in less than 2 hours.

📦 Improve stock management.

💰 Reduce logistics costs.

 

Towards more sustainable e-commerce logistics?

In response to the growing environmental impact of e-commerce, companies are adopting more responsible solutions:

🌱 Optimisation of rounds to reduce CO² emissions.

♻️ Use of eco-responsible packaging.

🚲 Development of urban logistics hubs to limit the number of journeys.

 

Optimise your e-commerce logistics!

Effective e-commerce depends on efficient logistics. By adopting the right technologies and optimising every stage of the supply chain, you can improve your competitiveness and customer satisfaction.


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