Consumer Logistics and Last-Mile Delivery Solutions
Summary
Consumer logistics encompasses the final leg of product delivery, often referred to as last-mile delivery. This critical phase connects distribution hubs to end customers and plays a pivotal role in supply chain performance, customer satisfaction and urban sustainability. The complexity of last-mile delivery has grown with the proliferation of e-commerce, increasing consumer expectations for rapid and flexible delivery options. Innovations such as crowdsourced delivery models, automated parcel lockers and dynamic routing algorithms have emerged to address cost pressures, environmental impact and service customisation. Furthermore, the integration of digital platforms and real-time tracking has enhanced transparency and user engagement, while data analytics support predictive demand forecasting. Despite these advances, challenges persist in balancing operational efficiency with environmental targets, ensuring equitable service levels across urban and rural contexts, and managing regulatory and infrastructural constraints. Ongoing research seeks to optimise delivery density, reduce carbon emissions and improve last-mile accessibility, thereby shaping a more resilient and customer-centric logistics landscape.
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Consumer Logistics and Last-Mile Delivery Solutions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in consumer logistics and last-mile delivery solutions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Last-mile delivery: The final segment of the supply chain, connecting distribution centres to the end consumer, often representing the highest cost and complexity.
Crowdsourced delivery: A model in which individuals outside traditional logistics networks deliver parcels, typically coordinated via digital platforms.
Automated delivery station (ADS): Self-service lockers or cabinets allowing consumers to collect parcels at designated locations without direct courier interaction.
Omni-channel logistics: Integration of multiple purchasing and delivery channels to provide a seamless consumer experience across online and physical touchpoints.
Network externalities: Effects whereby the value of a service increases as more participants (e.g. consumers or couriers) join the network, enhancing its overall utility.
References
- Sustainable crowdsourced delivery: A study of technological, health, value, and trust antecedents of consumer loyalty. Journal of Cleaner Production (2023).
- Sustainable Solutions in E-Commerce: An Examination of Customer Acceptance of Automated Delivery Stations in Vietnam. Sustainability (2024).
- Crowdshippers’ intentions to continue participating in last-mile delivery: A study in Vietnam. The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics (2023).
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