5 tips on how to expand your retail logistic operations across Europe
Growing and expanding your business are key goals for most business owners and entrepreneurs. It’s in our nature to think big and always look for more, right? Expanding your retail operations across Europe can both be difficult, scary, exciting, and rewarding. As a retailer, you are aiming to establish the same level of product quality and services that you have already achieved in your primary market.
Regardless of whether you want to expand to only one country or multiple counties, research is the single most important activity in making your decision. If you are looking to successfully expand your logistic operations, there are a few key factors you need to take into consideration. We have come up with the most important steps to take and listed them in this blog.
Here are the 5 tips on how to expand your logistic operations across Europe
1. Use your local stores as physical logistic hubs
As a retailer, you have probably encountered a situation where some of your products were flying off the shelves more often at one location, while they lay stagnant at another. In such a situation, there is no point in letting extra stock take up valuable shelf space. Instead, you can ship it off to consumers who order online, directly from your store.
Shipping from your store lets you deliver faster and reduces shipping costs by delivering from a location that's closer to your customer. Shipping directly from your store where inventory is readily available also minimizes your markdown costs. Another benefit of physical hubs is that the demand around express delivery, same-day delivery, and next-day delivery can easily be met. By using a combination of your warehouses and stores, you can fulfill your orders more efficiently. This is going to be key if you want to expand your logistics operations quickly. It allows you to expand your reach while decreasing shipping costs at the same time.
2. Choose sustainable vehicles for local delivery zones
With cities growing continuously and having a greater need for urban environmental sustainability, reducing the amount of air-polluting vehicles has become increasingly important. Not only for the city and its residents but also for retailers that want to meet their customer expectations. As consumers increasingly embrace social causes, they seek products and brands that align with their values, such as sustainability. Choosing sustainable delivery offers you a chance to gain more operational efficiency while tapping into the increasing customer demand for sustainable options. It allows you to reduce fuel costs, increase profitability and maximize vehicle utilization while reducing carbon emissions simultaneously.
3. Offer white-labeled tracking communication tailored per country
Personalization is one of the biggest opportunities to improve customer experience. It is especially important if you want to differentiate yourself and compete with your competitors on an international scale. White-labeling allows you to easily scale up your delivery, without having to spend extra money on the promotion of your brand. A white label legally permits you to place your brand name on a product or service that someone else produced. Through white-labeling, you can personalize your last-mile delivery and quickly boost the visibility of your brand.
Wondering how this exactly works? It is actually quite simple. Let’s say you have partnered up with a last-mile delivery service and you want to have your tracking communication tailored per country. With personalized tracking information, you can give your customers details about the package status while advertising your company simultaneously. For example, you could show your brand logo and apply your corporate identity to your tracking communication messages.
4. Execute local and sustainable returns
Packages get returned. And the reverse supply chain can get quite complicated and expensive. It involves the end customer, the shipper, the logistics provider, and the manufacturer, along with multiple locations. Since reverse logistics consists of so many aspects, it is essential for any business to draw up a logistics strategy.
Based on this strategy, you can optimize your overall supply chain management methods, including better aligning the last mile with the rest of the distribution network. By executing local and sustainable returns, you can lower your supply chain costs and reduce the company’s carbon footprint as well.
5. Find a local delivery partner
One of the most important things you should do if you want to expand your retail business is to find a local delivery partner. It can be quite expensive for a company to provide same-day, next-day delivery, and real-time tracking. Partnering up with a local delivery company allows you to ramp up logistic operations quickly, without having to deal with the delivery risks and costs yourself.
By using local delivery services, you can deliver the orders of your customers straight to their doorstep. It also serves as an alternative to shipping with a carrier, in-store shopping, or in-store pickup. With a local delivery partner you can manage delivery costs more easily, instead of being tied to carriers, who often have peak surcharges during the holiday period.
Are you ready for the next step?
Now you know how to expand your logistics operations to Europe, you can start looking for a sustainable last-mile delivery partner. Book a free demo and let’s discuss the opportunities.