Challenges and opportunities in ‘last mile’ logistics for on-line food retail

Jacques Trienekens*, Hans Henrik Hvolby, Paul Turner

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Conventional approaches to logistics for food retail continue to be challenged by the rapid growth of on-line food retail. At the same time, ‘last mile’ logistics optimization for on-line retail also face challenges as changing consumer expectations, habits and purchasing patterns intersect with the increasing density of urban environments. Numerous considerations are already in play around servicing of last mile logistics for on-line food retail including whether it is home delivery or pick-up; delivery is attended or not; and, whether the service is managed in-house or out-sourced to third party providers. Selecting the appropriate distribution and delivery channel is challenging with choices intimately related to the variety and price of products offered for sale (premium or discount) as well as the delivery times promoted to prospective customers. Beyond these pragmatic considerations, are also changing consumer expectations and preferences, innovations in new technology, provenance & traceability, seasonality and emerging reverse logistics issues linked to ‘green’ carbon miles considerations. This paper systematically explores these issues emerging in online food retail logistics.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Production Management Systems : The Path to Intelligent, Collaborative and Sustainable Manufacturing - IFIP WG 5.7 International Conference, APMS 2017, Proceedings
PublisherSpringer
Pages122-129
Number of pages8
Volume514
ISBN (Print)9783319669250
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event5th International Workshop on Languages and Compilers for Parallel Computing, 1992 - New Haven, United States
Duration: 3 Aug 19925 Aug 1992

Publication series

NameIFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology
Volume514
ISSN (Print)1868-4238

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposium5th International Workshop on Languages and Compilers for Parallel Computing, 1992
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Haven
Period3/08/925/08/92

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