So what a week this has been! The beast from the east flew in and was joined by Storm Emma and the results were nothing short of chaos. Whilst the snow is now but a fading memory the impact on retailers’ supply chains and deliveries will still be seen for a few days yet, with retailers still trying to restock their shelves even today.
In an opinion piece this week Stuart Higgins, director retail at BearingPoint, explains a little more about the impact on supermarkets and how their just in time model, coupled with panic buying from shoppers, saw staples such as milk and bread run dry. What was encouraging in the last few days however was the many reports of delivery drivers literally going the extra mile to get parcels to customers and goods to retail stores. We salute you all!!
We have seen the launch of a number of solutions to improve the delivery experience this week. Wincanton and Sorted are partnering to help retailers to improve the delivery options they have for customers.
Meanwhile a new returns solution, already in use internationally, is launching in the UK. ShopRunBack offers a suite of tools to help retailers better manage their returns.
Aiming at improving efficiency in the warehouse is a new robotics trial. Whilst many are looking for sophisticated technology this trial involves what is claimed to be the ‘world’s simplest conveyor robot’.
And finally, in our latest interview ahead of the eDelivery Expo (EDX), we have Tim Stevens, operations and logistics manager of Findmeagift.com, explaining why it’s time to get creative around delivery. Next week we will be bringing you more interviews from speakers at the show. Don’t forget to register for the event, which is now only two weeks away.
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