The gig economy delivery model is in trouble. City logistics won’t save cities from congestion and pollution. Marek Różycki (Last Mile Experts) and Ian Kerr (Postal Hub Podcast) join other experts to analyze 2018’s biggest trends in delivery, e-commerce and logistics
The Postal Hub Podcast asked some leading global experts in delivery and logistics for their take on 2018’s biggest trends in delivery and logistics. You can listen to these insightful conversations via the links above. Here are the principal points we discussed:
Residential or out-of-home delivery
The quest for first-time delivery success has pushed postal and delivery companies to find new ways to deliver parcels. But are some solutions just gimmicks?
Out-of-home delivery options are growing, in part thanks to expanding pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) networks. What is the most customer-centric delivery option?
‘Gig economy’ delivery
Is the ‘gig economy’ delivery model doomed? As delivery startups strive to make money, will they find it harder to find people prepared to deliver for ever-diminishing returns?
Cross-border e-commerce and trade
2018 saw more cross-border partnerships, including a deal between China Post and Lufthansa. There are also more hurdles for cross-border e-commerce, thanks to taxes, Brexit, the US STOP Act and other regulation. International shipping options are becoming increasingly important.
Grocery delivery
Over the past six or so years there has been much talk about grocery delivery. Postal operators have dipped their toes in the market, and some retailers have partnered with delivery startups. So what is working best so far? Or is click-and-collect a better option for online grocery shopping?
City logistics and green delivery options
Delivery vans are the target of many politicians, who see commercial vehicles as a leading cause of congestion, pollution and other problems. However, town planners and their political masters have a lot to answer for when it comes to the causes of congestion and other problems relating to delivery.
What do you think?
Is out-of-home delivery (parcel lockers and PUDOs) the solution to labor shortages and capacity problems? Is grocery delivery about to boom?
Do you agree with Ian Kerr that city logistics is a fine idea but won’t solve traffic congestion and other delivery problems?
What do you think are the main threats to cross-border e-commerce? Will regulation stifle growth?
Join the conversation online at LinkedIn by clicking our LinkedIn profiles below and tell us what you think.
Bio:
Marek Różycki is managing partner at Last Mile Experts, specializing in CEP and e-commerce last-mile advisory.
Ian Kerr is the founder and host of the Postal Hub Podcast, the weekly podcast for the postal and delivery sectors.
