Why last-mile logistics is important for retail success during the holiday surge

South of the equator, a white Christmas is a rarity.

With the boom in e-commerce during the pandemic, Singaporeans are seeing colours of different shades on trucks, motorcycles and other delivery vehicles zipping down the streets. One that stands out is Lalamove's signature bright orange hummingbird logo, which signifies the swiftness by which its fleet operates.

As the holiday season kicks into full swing, so does the demand for delivery. From seasonal foods to last-minute Christmas presents, businesses are guaranteed to see a spike in orders towards the end of the year.

Having enough supply to meet demand is a problem in itself. Last Christmas, Lalamove saw a 50 per cent increase in order volume compared to an average week - a trend that is likely to occur again this holiday season.

With the Covid-19 pandemic delaying or sometimes entirely restricting international shipping, finding workarounds is a challenge for even the most seasoned veterans in the business.

There's also the issue of getting such a colossal number of orders to customers on time. In supply chain management parlance, this is what's known as last-mile logistics - the actual delivery from the distribution centre into a customer's hands, and arguably, the most important step to a consumer.

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Speed, reliability and affordable prices

A single damaged parcel, misplaced shipment or even late delivery can mean an irreparable hit to the customer experience, not to mention the seller's reputation.

"Last Christmas, we delivered our largest order volume of confectionery. We project a similar volume this year," says Mr Alex Lin, managing director of Lalamove Singapore. "In preparation, we worked with merchants and improved our processes to ensure picture-perfect delivery."

So likewise, businesses need speed and reliability at a low price.

And they find this trifecta in Lalamove.

Lalamove guarantees what no other logistics provider does in Singapore: Delivery of any item, to anywhere on the island.

It doesn't matter whether it's an envelope with a greeting card or a crate of frozen yellowtail. Lalamove employs over 55,000 drivers operating seven different types of vehicles - including motorcycle, car, multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), van, and lorry - to accommodate any business' need.

With Lalamove's specialised fleet of vehicles, clients can be assured every trip is as efficiently utilised as possible - a lorry's cargo bed is not wasted on a single medium-sized box, for instance. This helps clients stay abreast of all their orders, even amid the chaos of festive seasons.

The availability of refrigerated lorries also ensures that fresh goods stay just as fresh as possible when they are delivered to wholesalers and then dispatched to multiple locations.

Owning a corporate fleet of vehicles is of course an option for larger businesses. But while the cost of even purchasing one is prohibitive for most SMEs as it is, the cost - both in terms of finances and time - of maintaining said fleet can be astronomical, considering vehicle maintenance and driver salaries.

Flexible usage plans and efficient customer support

As such, using a logistics provider is the far more cost-effective option for an SME, particularly with Lalamove's usage plans.

Unlike some logistics providers that operate on a monthly payment plan, Lalamove instead opts to let clients pay per use instead, saving them money on a costly subscription.

Furthermore, Lalamove also offers multi-stop delivery, letting clients consolidate up to 19 stops in a single order. The optimal delivery route is then calculated by Lalamove to cover the minimum mileage in the shortest amount of time, ensuring that clients save as much as possible, while still meeting the need for lightning-fast delivery. Route optimisation also means a smaller carbon footprint.

Gone are the days of hidden surcharges. Delivery costs are completely transparent and tabulated within the Lalamove app, allowing clients to personally confirm the final price before sending out their packages.

But speed and cost-effectiveness doesn't have to come at the expense of reliability.

Having been operational for seven years, Lalamove's collective years of logistics expertise and spotless track record have kept clients rolling in: The company serves an average of 5,900 clients every month, of which a sizable number are SMEs across various sectors in Singapore.

Each of these businesses cites the peace of mind that Lalamove gives them as a major reason for putting their trust in the orange hummingbird.

Besides the personal attention they receive from the Lalamove account management team, clients can also track their packages in real-time through the Lalamove app for instant updates on their shipment's location. The app's Live Chat function also gives clients access to customer service from 8am to 10pm daily.

And as if that wasn't enough, Lalamove also supports API integration for businesses, and a monthly rebate programme for corporate customers - not to mention up to 3 per cent cash back in bonus Lalamove credits when using any of its four-wheel options, be they car, van, or lorry.

So this Christmas, it's time to look to the hummingbird for presents from the Pole. The reindeer and the sleigh may take too long to arrive.

Need a logistics provider for your growing business? Look no further than Lalamove. Visit www.lalamove.com/en-sg/business to find out more.

Till Dec 12, save more on your deliveries with the coupon code LALAMOVEIT. New users can use the coupon code for three times to enjoy a 50 per cent discount ($6 cap), while old users can avail of a 20 per cent discount ($6 cap) thrice.