Retailers need multi-channel distribution channels because buyers today order products from anywhere, at any moment. Sometimes they order products online then pick them up from the physical store, or have it delivered to their homes or offices.
Other times, they would order products in the physical store and then have the retailer deliver the items. Additionally, customers expect shorter and shorter delivery times, including same day and next day deliveries.
Therefore, retailers must adapt to meet consumer’s expectations with omni-channel fulfilment centers.
Some European ecommerce businesses have adapted by offering in store pickups, and unlimited home deliveries. For instance, La FNAC implemented a cross channel logistics management process, and then increased its online sales by 35 percent.
But adapting to the complexity of cross channel distribution requires a considerable amounts of investment in automation, sorting machines, conveyors, and robotics trolleys. An investment that not all retailers, especially startups, can afford to make.
For them, it’s more cost-effective to outsource their multi-channel logistics to specialists that offer order fulfilment services. And for most European ecommerce businesses, Viapost has become the preferred European customer service.
Viapost has created an all-in-one tracking tool and built an international distribution network that bridges the gap between offline and online commerce seamlessly.
Viapost managers 10 fully-automated warehouses across Europe, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands. That enables it to offer retailers of all sizes fully-managed logistics for at home, at work, and in store delivery; all at an affordable cost.
In fact, compared to building and maintaining in-house distribution networks, Viapost reduces the cost of e-commerce logistics for it’s partners, such as the French-startup LIMA and KIABI.
According to Philippe Bourriot, Direct of Strategy at Viapost, “they are committed to the principle that logistics should not be expensive, or cost retailers money. Instead, logistics should help retailers make money and be profitable.”
As consumers have become impatient and addicted to instant gratification, only retailers that have implemented omni-channel distribution channels are pioused to meet their demands. Thankfully, Viapost is there to help European ecommerce businesses meet the challenge thanks to an efficient multi-lingual contact center.