Fourth episode of the MED COLOURS’ social column dedicated to the topic of resilient and sustainable urban logistics. Once a month, via our social channels, we suggest articles, insights and studies of particular interest to the topics related to the project, with the aim of increasing knowledge related to the topics, and stimulating debate and knowledge exchange, which are essential ingredients for the achievement of our project goals.
This month’s article focuses on how will re-Commerce change Last Mile Logistics?
As e-Commerce continues to expand, the environmental challenges it poses are becoming increasingly evident. particularly from the perspective of Last mile Logistics. A more sustainable approach to online shopping is emerging through re-Commerce, which involves buying, selling, exchanging or renting used items. Second hand online platforms are gaining significant popularity: the European re-Commerce market is expected to grow to €120bn by 2025 (+60%) and its share of e-Commerce will grow from 10% to 14%.
The incremental growth of re-Commerce-related parcels will thus enable the transformation of last-mile logistics. How?
Two last-mile experts, Marek Rozycki and Professor Arkadiusz Kawa, attempted to answer this question in their article for Parcel and Postal Technology International. The full article is available here: https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/opinion/opinion-re-commerce-driving-the-new-last-mile.html
Their insight shows that the functioning of the circular economy, especially online, is unthinkable without an effective logistics process. This requires an integrated approach, flexibility and sustainable solutions. Regardless of the logistics model adopted for re-commerce, the critical element is delivery, especially last-mile delivery.
The most cost-efficient forms of delivery, the experts conclude, are Parcel Lockers and Pick-up Points, as multiple shipments can be delivered simultaneously to one location. Additionally, buyers and sellers personally pick up and deliver items to the OOH point, avoiding the need for door-to-door first or last-mile delivery. Furthermore, this OOH solution is more environmentally friendly. With the impetus of these innovative and more sustainable solutions, re-commerce can thus act as a driver for more efficient and sustainable last-mile logistics.
Within the MED COLOURS project, alternative and more sustainable delivery solutions and methods will be tested, making urban logistics more efficient and sustainable. MED COLOURS involves 6 cities (Livorno, Cesena, Thessaloniki, Koper, Lisbon, and Lyon) in the implementation of 5 #PilotActions and 6 #SustainableUrbanLogisticsPlans, with the objective of upscaling towards a new generation of logistics and urban planning that allows the transition towards decarbonised and smart cities.
