Start-ups play a crucial role in the introduction of innovation in all sectors. The eCommerce, logistics and transport sectors are therefore no exception.
In fact, we have already mentioned some of the most promising start-ups for eCommerce technology integration. In this second instalment we will instead look at some of the most innovative start-ups in the field of logistics, especially last mile logistics.
Startup categories
According to research conducted by the Contract Logistics Observatory of the Politecnico di Milano, there are more than 500 start-up in the world in the field of logistics and they can be classified into 4 categories:
- New logistics players;
- Platforms for the intersection of supply and demand of logistics services;
- Software innovation;
- Hardware innovation.
New logistics players
Focusing on the first area, new logistics players that offer innovative logistics services in terms of geographical scope, type of activity or technology, 65% of these (or 104 out of a total of 160 start-ups surveyed) respond to the growing demand for services related to last-mile distribution.
One example of this is the extension of delivery services to new sectors, in particular the Pharma and Food sectors, with the emergence of start-ups that enable products that once could only be found in stores to be delivered very quickly to one’s home. This is the case, for example, of Pharmap and Pharmaprime with regard to pharmaceutical products, or Gorillas (which we also talked about in this in-depth article analysing the subject of Dark Stores) and Getir with regard to food.
Start-ups that will make last mile logistics more sustainable
Other start-ups, on the other hand, focus on offering solutions that reduce the environmental impact of deliveries.
In fact, it is estimated that freight traffic contributes between 20 and 30 per cent of air pollution in urban areas, and last mile delivery vehicles account for almost a third of total traffic in cities.
Let us therefore take a look at some of the most innovative start-ups in this field.
Olive, the cardboard and plastic bag free eCommerce
Olive, a startup founded by former Walmart VP Nate Faust, is on a mission to eliminate single-use packaging from eCommerce. Using reusable packaging made almost entirely from recycled material, Olive delivers products ordered online directly to the end user’s home, and then takes back the packaging used for delivery and reuses it for another customer.
Likewise, Olive also handles returns, returning the product in its environmentally friendly packaging to the retailer.
iCarry, for greener urban logistics
iCarry is an all-Italian startup founded in 2015 by Daniel Giovannetti and Gabriele Ferrieri. Now present with its delivery services in more than 60 Italian cities, it sets itself the challenging goal of improving and making global logistics more sustainable by optimising resource management in the field of urban mobility. How? iCarry enables retailers to make retail deliveries from one part of the city to another quickly and with only electric and hybrid vehicles.
GEL Proximity, with Locker and Pick-up Points logistics is more sustainable
If we talk about realities that make last mile logistics greener, we can’t help but mention us too! In fact, GEL Proximity makes it possible to integrate its eCommerce channel with Lockers and Pick-up Points throughout the country, offering end consumers the possibility of choosing where and when to pick up their order or make a return, thus designing a new check-out experience that is more sustainable and less impactful than traditional home delivery. Moreover, in this way the whole process is made more efficient, guaranteeing 100% delivery at all times.
To find out more about our services and how we can help you improve your eCommerce, contact us here to get more information now.
