Redazione
16 October 2020
Logistics

The Evolution of Last-Mile Logistics in the eCommerce Era

The Scenario and the Problem

312 million parcels transited in Italy in 2019, while in 2020 the expected growth is +31% according to Digital Innovation Observatories. Covid-19 has caused a momentous shift in consumption leading to a necessary Evolution of Last Mile Logistics in the eCommerce era. The differences between Logistics in the eCommerce era and Traditional Logistics see:

  • Large volumes of small parcels vs. Few large parcels
  • Irregular flow of goods vs Regular
  • Mostly B2c vs Mostly B2b

The consequences for Italians are:

  • Congested urban traffic
  • High CO2 levels
  • High expectations and consequently insufficient User Experience

The consequences for Logistics Operators are:

  • Difficulty in planning routes of vehicles especially heavy vehicles
  • Difficulty in managing warehouse layout and procurement
  • Speed of delivery (the fastest couriers promise delivery in 4h-24h)

The Statistics and the Solution

According to data from Borsa Italiana:

  • 81% of online customers expect companies to use new technologies to create better shopping experiences.
  • 60% consider the ability to choose where the product will be delivered very important
  • 49% give equal importance to the choice of delivery time

GEL Proximity was created to meet these needs on behalf of the end customer and eCommerce, Logistics Operators and Couriers.

Benefits

For End Customers:

  • Improves the customer experience of online customers by providing a better shopping experience
  • Can choose where and when to pick up the package
  • Possible savings on delivery
  • Ease of Return

For eCommerce, Logistics Operators and Couriers:

  • Reduces Abandonment Rates at checkout for shipping-related reasons (to date 60% in Italy)
  • Improves the Customer Experience of online customers by providing a better shopping experience
  • Reduces logistics costs by optimizing the number of stops/deliveries and reduces storage at couriers.
  • Reduces Reverse Logistic time and costs.
  • Reduces integration time and technology costs

How It Works

GEL Proximity offers the possibility to use thanks to a single integration over 45,000 automated Pick-Up Points and Lockers throughout Italy.

In particular, it is aimed at:

  • eCommerce
  • Logistics operators
  • Couriers

GEL Proximity facilitates digital innovation and supports last-mile Logistics in the eCommerce era.

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The largest library of integrations dedicated to Out-of-Home services

Connect your eCommerce software, OMS, ERP or WMS to over 1.000.000 Pickup Points and parcel Lockers across Europe through a single technology platform.

GEL Proximity provides a comprehensive ecosystem of integrations to simplify shipment management and enable the full range of Out-of-Home logistics services.

With native checkout plugins, SDKs and APIs, you can easily integrate GEL Proximity into leading eCommerce CMS platforms, business management software, middleware and order and shipping management systems.

From real-time Pickup Point selection at checkout to shipment management and automated transactional status updates, a single integration connects your business to Europe’s leading PUDO and parcel Locker networks.