It’s hard to believe that 2020 is finally over, and we are at the start of a new year which will hopefully be better than the last. While 2020 was tough, it also caused many industries to change the way they do things, including the logistics industry. We’re taking a look at some of the supply chain trends we can expect to see this year, many influenced by COVID-19 in some way.
Omnichannel is Vital to Survival
The businesses who faired the best during the COVID-19 lockdowns were the ones who made use of as many sales channels as possible, including online, retail, distribution and direct-to-consumer, and we can expect to see more businesses doing this in 2021 with the pandemic still lurking. This way, if one of the channels is not available, there are several others that will be, and the business can continue making money. In order to adopt an omnichannel approach, businesses will need a supply chain that makes it possible.
Real-time is Key
One of the difficult lessons that many a business learned in 2020 was that if there is a risk somewhere in your supply chain, you need to know about it as soon as possible in order to reduce or prepare for the disruption as much as possible. Information lags are no longer acceptable, and real-time systems are becoming the ‘new normal’, such as TSI’s Digital Control Tower. By having the information you need available as it happens, your business has a better chance of succeeding, especially in these tough times.
More Focus on Sustainability
Green logistics continues to advance and as we look to lessen our carbon footprint on the world as individuals, we are looking to businesses to do their bit too. We can expect to see more eco-friendly packaging, companies going paperless, electric vehicle deliveries and better planned routes in 2021. Not only will placing more focus on sustainability help businesses lessen their impact on the environment and possibly cut costs, but more customers will be inclined to purchase from them or use their services due to these practices. It’s a win-win!
Faster Delivery Times
Same day delivery has not been as big of a deal in South Africa as it is in the rest of the world, but this is changing. We are seeing consumers expecting faster delivery times, and this isn’t possible without digitizing your supply chain. By having a view of the supply chain as a whole, businesses are able to shorten those delivery times and communicate regularly with their customers, providing frequent updates on delivery times (something else consumers love).
You’ve heard it before, and we’ll say it again – NOW is the time to invest in a system that will transform your logistics while cutting costs. We have that system! Send an email to wanita@centralstation.co.za and we’ll book your free demonstration.
