Effective management of eCommerce logistics entails an ongoing challenge for the majority of sectorial professionals, above all at times of the year such as Black Friday, the Good End, Christmas, Mothering Day or during the end of season sales, amongst others. Demand levels spread in an increasingly more homogenous fashion throughout the year, which obliges brands and operators to prime their actions for each flashpoint with the maximum foresight to be able to overcome the circumstances before us. So, how can these be tackled with solvency and without surpassing logistical capacity?
Before answering this question, we have to be aware that, in Spain, eCommerce already accounts for 20% of overall sales made in the country, as per the findings of a study conducted by the consultants eMarketer. In the Latin America scenario, eCommerce already boasts more than 300 digital buyers and is forecast to increase by 20% between 2023 and 2027, according to Pay Retailers Colombia.
Data that reflect the growing potential and which underscore the significance of eCommerce logistics, the channel chosen on an every increasing basis by more consumers worldwide.
That said, one must wonder, what must be done to fulfill client expectations in these demanding sales campaigns, though without endangering brand standing and the trust buyers place in us? At Logisfashion, we have placed the onus on 5 major key points to bear in mind to ensure standout eCommerce logistics during hectic sales periods. Below we will tell you how:
1. FORESIGHT and SCHEDULING in eCommerce logistics.
It is of the utmost importance to cover clients’ sales forecasts, to embark upon watertight scheduling both of teams as well as storage space, fine tuning the inventories and all processes while conducting resizing of operations to be primed to oversee the different scenarios arising. In this regard, multifunctionality and the ability to react swiftly on the part of the teams, alongside their adapting will help to overcome any setbacks. With proper foresight, stock can even be mobilized for products that will become more in demand at a later date.
For this reason, it is necessary to foresee these scenarios with a view to establishing the diverse needs, yet also having in place a completely scalable and flexible structure that responds to unexpected changes in demand for certain products and sectors. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to work side-by-side with clients, ascertaining their market scenarios and sales forecasts, taking this information to be able to perform a full-scale analysis of historical data, trends and forecasts that allow us to adapt operational capabilities to any need, whether forecast or unexpected. Through each operation, shortfalls in the supply chain must be detected, thereby reviewing indicators or all types: quality, services, time etc. undertaking management of performance while studying the before, during and after of each change to establish ongoing improvement for any processes involved. The aim is straightforward: ensuring that orders are managed on time and effectively, guaranteeing quality in terms of service, despite the high volume of orders placed.
2. Talent MANAGEMENT
The recruitment, retaining and training of our teams is a primary focus. A workforce’s talent is the greatest asset a logistics company can boast. At Logisfashion, it is what allows us to continue growing on a daily basis while offering the best possible service to our clients. A team that is also backed by first-rate management to organize and oversee all operations. A team that comes to the fore for its experience, professionalism, flexibility and continuous professional training.
Precisely, during these times of the year, top-notch management is that makes it possible to oversee all teams successfully, whose resizing creates tension in all processes as it can be multiplied by more than five, in order to complete the priming of thousands of orders and deliver them on time. For this reason, shifts are increased so that nothing comes to a halt, and we can provide the best logistics service possible for eCommerce. Prior training and organization become crucial in order that everything works like a well-oiled cog without any mistakes so that we can stride together towards operational excellence when most needed.
At Logisfashion, we boast a human team of the very highest standard which, year after year, has proven itself to match the standards expected of it at times of great demand like those in these sales campaigns. A well-drilled team with excellent intercommunication skills that allows us to attain excellence during campaigns as demanding as these.
3.-TECHNOLOGY
Without it, at the present time, it would be impossible to tackle demand levels. Yet this must be sturdy and scalable so that it helps us to offer greater support vis-à-vis this considerable number of orders, while guaranteeing traceability and efficiency in each shipment. Furthermore, it performs an essential role as it allows us to automate tasks and enables the logistics teams so that it can focus on an enhanced and swifter order management.
At Logisfashion, we are backed by innovative technology based on sturdy platforms which connect the supply chain and allow us to make gains in terms of competitiveness, openness and efficiency, fundamental aspects to provide flagship services to our clients.
For this reason, it is necessary to continue to stride towards digitization, while investing in greater automation of logistics processes and in integrated management systems as the cornerstones of growth, to enhance the experience of both clients and employees, while similarly gaining infrastructure, teams and partners who enable the creation of new skills and innovation in terms of services. The above allows us to embark upon new operations and transaction within very tight timeframes (SaaS/PaaS/IaaS) while also foreseeing market demand shifts, improving thereby in-house capabilities and efficiency in operational along with decision-making processes.
4. The right LOCATION is a must
Owing to the endless challenges eCommerce logistics faces, it is increasingly more necessary to have on-hand facilities that are placed strategically close to the major population nuclei, with a view ensuring swift delivery, streamlining last mile processes or reducing transport costs, alongside other aspects. Indeed, a survey conducted by Aberdeen Standard reveals how warehouse facility location is one of the standout factors for a company’s logistics.
Location, therefore, is a determining factor to be able to streamline processes in the warehouse and thus be able to meet the shortest delivery windows, thus aiding to optimize all processes that occur prior to distributing the products, including scheduling of routes and timetables or streamlining spaces such as the warehouse dispatch area, all of which entails the aforesaid improvement in last mile processes, one of the most critical points in eCommerce logistics.
At Logisfashion, we boast the main logistics hubs in Spain and in Latin America with 28 of these hubs featuring a handling capacity of 500,000m2 which affords us the possibility of delivering the very highest standards of service to our clients, regardless of the current season.
A group of facilities which, furthermore, have on-hand growth capacity based on each brand’s needs, thereby offering the possibility of streamlining the Layout and its redesign in terms of flows to cover increases in demand. The aim is to increase performance and storage capacity so that the product reaches its delivery point swiftly and in perfect conditions.
5. And, how could we overlook EXPERIENCE?
At Logisfashion, we have operated with eCommerce for flagship and the most demanding brands since 2011 on an international scale for all sectors, namely fashion, household appliances, home furnishings, jewelry etc., which has allowed us to development renowned expertise while streamlining processes to increase satisfaction, reduce costs for clients and increase their sales levels by delivering on time and properly millions of products. Regardless of the season of the year in which we find ourselves,
These are five clearly thought-out ideas that must function as a well-oiled cog to be able to provide a response to growing demand levels on the part of clients and consumers alike. A brand’s reputation or the trust its buyers place is in it are dependent on this mechanism For this reason, we must always be committed to attaining efficient logistics. Along with the finest supplier to carry this out.
