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Pool Point Solutions: Making Freight Forwarding Work for Retail    In retail, keeping shelves stocked is crucial. Pool point solutions provide a reliable system to meet customer needs and help businesses thrive. These solutions rely on key processes such as freight consolidation, deconsolidation and cross-docking to optimize supply chain efficiency, reduce costs and enhance delivery precision. The pool distribution process includes four steps and allows you to “pool” multiple shipments that are shipping to the same geographic region: Collection: Freight is gathered from suppliers or distribution centers and transported to a pool point.  Consolidation: Shipments are grouped based on their final delivery destinations.  Deconsolidation: Shipments are broken down into smaller loads for delivery.  Redistribution: Freight is dispatched using appropriately sized equipment to reach delivery points.    Pool distribution is a great alternative to traditional LTL models and perfect for time-sensitive deliveries. It keeps revenue flowing and is customizable and reliable.    The Role of Cross Docking  In many pool point solutions, a cross-docking service is integrated into the transportation process to facilitate freight consolidation or deconsolidation, which are critical for improving supply chain efficiency. A cross-dock operation can be implemented in almost any location.      Freight Consolidation  Freight consolidation combines smaller shipments from various origins into a single, larger shipment. This process is conducted at a consolidation center or cross dock to optimize transport by maximizing vehicle or container capacity.    Freight Deconsolidation  Freight deconsolidation is the reverse process of consolidation. A deconsolidated shipment is broken down into individual components for delivery to specific destinations. This occurs at deconsolidation centers, typically near final delivery zones.    Enhanced Pool Point Solutions    Providers offer enhanced solutions to ensure every aspect of a shipment is cared for. Some of these solutions include white glove delivery, a premium service designed for high-value, fragile or sensitive items that ensures careful handling and personalized service; retail store delivery,   which provides merchandise replenishment for retail locations and uses freight deconsolidation to optimize shipments; and last mile plus services, which combine freight forwarding and last mile services for end-to-end delivery solutions.    Pool point distribution integrates freight consolidation, deconsolidation and cross-docking to enhance supply chain efficiency. Superior pool point providers can also offer tailored solutions like white glove delivery, retail store delivery and last mile plus services to provide shippers with comprehensive, customer-focused logistics to meet diverse shipping needs. 

Freshen up on the basics of warehousing with our guide covering the benefits and key processes of optimizing your operations. From inventory management to order fulfillment, we've got you covered! #warehousing101 #logistics #supplychainmanagement 📦 https://hubs.la/Q02FKkmJ0

Reverse Logistics   The opposite direction of forward logistics is reverse logistics which the physical goods back to the origin point for several reasons including product returns, repairs, reselling, maintenance, and end-of-life returns for recycling or disposal (Harrison, et al., 2019). 1.   Returns             The goods are returned from customers, or any destination point for several reasons that as delivering the wrong items, packaging damage, and product damage. Reverse logistics is handling such kind of return process to ensure customer loyalty. 2.   Evaluation Return products              Reverse logistics involve the inspection to determine the product’s condition. Is it the factory's fault or the user's fault? Can repair or resell? By having pre-set categories in place, including refurbish, recycle, and repair, the process of reverse logistics can be smooth (Thompson, 2023). 3.   Inventory and Warehouse Management for return products            Inventory management can be challenging in reverse logistics as the number of returns is unpredictable. In the warehouse, the items returned due to various reasons should be properly separated and kept. To avoid the increasing inventory holding cost and warehouse space for useless items that are returned from customers, need to consider write-offs and auctions. 4.   Repair and Recycle              As per the result of the inspection, whether the returned items can be repaired, should be moved to the repair area. If needed to send the supplier, need to discuss, and negotiate with suppliers before sending it because reverse process flow is very complicated and has a high delivery cost. Should be sent to recycle area, if cannot repair, reuse, replacement and resell. 5.   Data Analysis                 It is important in reverse logistics. Need to record returns products lists with case studies and identify root causes to improve the reverse logistics process.                   In conclusion, we can get the opportunity to customer satisfaction in forward logistics and on the other hand, reverse logistics offers businesses an opportunity to meet sustainability targets. However, the company needs to prepare a reverse logistics policy during the forward logistics process. Collaborating with marketing and sales teams for reselling, promotion, and donation for returned products, we can get more value added. References Harrison, A., Hoek, R. V., Skipworth, H. & Aitken, J., 2019. Logistics Management and Strategy competing through the supply chain. 6th ed. UK(Harlow): Pearson. Rushton, A., Croucher, P. & Baker, P., 2014. The Handbook of Logistics & Distribution Management. 5th ed. USA: The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK). Thompson, A., 2023. What is reverse logistics? [Online] Available at: https://lnkd.in/gC-yt-a6 [Accessed 7 January 2024].

What does shipping logistics mean? #Shippinglogistics refers to all the #inbound and #outbound #logistics involved in #transporting finished goods as they move through your #supplychain, from first-mile delivery and #drayage to end #customershipments. There are several factors that impact your shipping logistics strategy, including #procurementlogistics, #freightshipping, and #carrierpartnerships. Where you store your #inventory compared to where a bulk of your #customers live also plays a major role in #shippingoperations, especially when it comes to last-mile delivery. The key differentiator between shipping and logistics is scope.  Shipping is what it sounds like: the physical movement of your goods, for example, from a #fulfillmentcenter to your customers. From documentation, working with carriers, #tracking, and #handling, to #deliverytimes, and transportation, shipping refers to the processes that happens as goods move throughout the supply chain. Logistics refers to systems. They’re all of the synchronized #operations that manage how your products are #acquired, #stored, and transported to their final destinations, of which shipping is just one.  Combined, the term “shipping logistics” refers to the stages of an #ecommercesupplychain that requires #strategy around how to get product from Point A to Point B, whether it’s shipping inventory to a fulfillment center, or shipping orders to customers. Types of shipping logistics 1.Inbound logistics are the processes that move products from a manufacturer or other party to be received at a fulfillment center or warehouse. Your inbound logistics network should include everything your business needs to transport, store, and deliver goods including: #Sourcingproducts #Productionleadtimes #Warehousereceiving 2.Outbound logistics, on the other hand, are all the operations necessary to move your products from a fulfillment center or warehouse to your customers, including: #Orderprocessing  #Picking & #packing #Shipping #Carrierpartnerships 3.Reverse logistics refers to processing customer returns and #exchanges. This includes both inbound and outbound processes, like return #labels, #inspecting returned #merchandise, processing #refunds, and shipping out a new item if it’s an exchange. Logistics professionals face several challenges and opportunities in ocean shipping and supply chain management. 1.#Globalization and #internationaltrade 2.Technology and automation 3. #Environmental concerns and #sustainability 4.Changing customer expectations sources 1. https://lnkd.in/d2WZyA7S. 2. https://lnkd.in/dQQCqerS #ecommercefulfillment #supplychainmanagement #supplierrelationshipmanagement #valuechain #mrp #warehousesmanagement #customerrelationshipmanagement #crm #srm #TransportationNetworks #supplierrelationshipmanagement #roi #erp #sap

Simple and clear!

𝐑̲𝐞̲𝐭̲𝐚̲𝐢̲𝐥̲ 𝐋̲𝐨̲𝐠̲𝐢̲𝐬̲𝐭̲𝐢̲𝐜̲𝐬̲ 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!! Retail logistics refers to the process of managing and coordinating the movement of goods, materials, and products from suppliers to the final consumers in the retail industry. It involves various activities such as procurement, transportation, inventory management, warehousing, order fulfillment, and distribution, all aimed at ensuring that the right products are available in the right quantities at the right locations and at the right time to meet customer demands.   Insufficient transportation infrastructure, such as poorly maintained roads, limited ports, and congested highways, can lead to delays in the delivery of goods. Delays can result in increased holding costs, stockouts, and potentially dissatisfied customers. Moreover, outdated or inadequate storage infrastructure, including warehouses and distribution centers can lead to disruptions in the supply chain. These disruptions can stem from capacity constraints, lack of modern inventory management systems and difficulties in coordinating the flow of goods.   Furthermore, retailers can offer various fulfillment options, such as buy online and pick up in-store (BOPIS), curbside pickup, same-day delivery, and traditional shipping. This flexibility meets customers' varied preferences and urgent needs. Moreover, managing returns is a critical aspect of omni-channel retail. An integrated logistics strategy streamlines the returns process, making it easier for customers to return items through any channel. Omni-channel logistics might involve partnerships with third-party logistics providers, technology companies, and other industry players.   The retail logistics market is segmented on the basis of type, solution, mode of transport, and region. By type, the market is divided into conventional retail logistics and e-commerce retail logistics. By solution, the market is classified into commerce enablement, supply chain solutions, reverse logistics & liquidation, transportation management, and others. By mode of transport, the market is classified into railways, airways, roadways, and waterways. By region, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.   The global retail logistics market size was valued at $238.5 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $809.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 13.5% from 2023 to 2032.   𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 - FedEx Corporation C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. DHL International GmbH Kuehne + Nagel International AG Schneider APL Logistics Ltd United Parcel Service Inc. DSV XPO Logistics Inc. Nippon Express Co. Ltd

Logistics operational strategies can either be product-specific / destination-specific / customer-specific. 🚛 📦 There are six different types of logistics strategies: 1. Inbound Logistics Inbound logistics is sourcing and transporting raw material from a supplier to the buyer’s manufacturing unit. Managing suppliers, costs, warehousing, and transportation of components to the assembly line in time to manufacture the final product are the activities that make up inbound logistics. 2. Outbound Logistics Outbound logistics is transporting and delivering the finished product in time to the customer. Distribution channels and transportation systems have a vital role to play in outbound logistics. ECommerce companies rely heavily on outbound logistics for fast and smooth customer deliveries. 3. Reverse Logistics Products returning from customers fall under the reverse logistics category, also known as the aftermarket supply chain. Product returns fall under these 4 categories: Defective products Product recalls Simple returns End-of-life products Creating a return policy can reduce reverse logistics costs and limit the number of product returns. 4. Distribution Logistics The connection between production and market is distribution logistics, also known as transport or sale logistics. Interorganizational planning, realization, and transportation of goods aim to create an efficient logistics channel between a supplier and customer. Distribution logistics is subcategorized into strategic, tactical, and operational tasks. 5. Third Party Logistics Third-Party Logistics or 3PL companies are employed by the manufacturer to outsource warehousing and delivery to the end customer. Third-party logistics suppliers are involved in transportation, storage, collecting, packing and packaging, inventory forecasting, fulfilling orders, freight forwarding, and reverse logistics. 6. Fourth Party Logistics In Fourth Party Logistics, 4PLs in short, are involved in assessing, designing, running, and measuring solutions for customers. A 4PL partner is the single point of contact between the manufacturer and the entire supply chain. #gcslogistics #wedeliver #logisticssolutions #freightforwarding #logisticsfacts

Inbound and outbound logistics are two key processes for moving goods through the retail supply chain.

Supply Chain & Logistics : We will discuss the thread that connects the four entities discussed in the previous posts. It is Logistics. When you talk of logistics, it involves the lanes in which the logistics happen and the assets that carry physicals goods from one entity to another, either in forward direction or in the reverse direction There are four modes of logistics and these are used per the business circumstances. While water mode is the cheapest mode, there are other modes like truck and rail that are also predominantly used to transport the goods. In case of quick parcels and heavy cargo consignments, when lead time and safety is of utmost importance usage of air mode is also prevalent. Popular operating models for logistics are deploying for transportation : Own Fleet Commercial Carriers  3PLs or third party logistics Each of these operating models have their own merits and demerits. In the case where the operating network is shorter in terms of span or coverage, and the frequency of transportation is intense, organizations tend to deploy their OWN FLEET for logistics purposes. The above characteristics of a network support the usage of its own fleet as they can ensure economies of scale, thereby reducing the cost of transportation. Alternatively, when the network is sparse and span is also considerably longer usage of commercial carriers is prevalent. Organizations get into contracts with the COMMERICAL CARRIERS and later pay them by consignment. The payment can be based on distance or a fixed cost as per consignment. Different types of commercial carriers are full loads popularly known as FTL, less than truck loads or LTL, and parcels or couriers.  The FTL will be taken on contract between origin and destination for fixed price irrespective of usage of the volume of the truck load. The organization must pay the trip rate irrespective of the usage of the FTL volume. In case of an LTL organizations buy part of the space in Full Truck Load. Basicall the carrier pools the LTL to form a full truck load. In the case of parcels and couriers, they are light consignments. 3PLs they are independent companies with their own fleet, they undertake transportation activities for their clients. COST CONCERNS of LOGISTICAL ACTIVITIES : There are different costs that are concerned with logistical activities. The primary cost would be the transportation cost, which is the actual cost spent by the distance travelled.  For the sake of summarization, organizations try to review INBOUND, INTERSITE & the OUTBOUND transportation costs. Critical review of these transportation costs provide an opportunity for the organization to understand if there is any scope for minimizing the costs. In case of OWN FLEET, apart from fuel cost, driver wages or asset maintenance cost or asset lease cost are big ticket items. In addition to these costs, there are fuel surcharges and other accessorial charges that sum up to the total logistic cost.

Current returns processes are slow, inconsistent, and require a lot of labour, resources, and time — all of which come at a great cost to third-party logistics businesses. Driving down these costs is a key goal – which 3PLS can achieve through a sophisticated returns process. Better returns management will provide 3PLs with immediate cost-saving benefits by boosting warehouse efficiency, freeing up staff time and reducing transportation costs.3PLs can also strengthen their proposition to retailers, to attract new clients and solidify their position in the competitive logistics landscape. Find out how smart returns management can achieve this here: https://hubs.li/Q02JJ5kx0 #Returns #3PLs