Evolution of the Hyperlocal Delivery Market during Pandemic

Evolution of the Hyperlocal Delivery Market during Pandemic

Every crisis presents an opportunity to try something new, as well as the need to do so. After the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it has forced us to reorganize our lives to ensure sustained access to essentials and supplies in the modern age of lockout, social distancing, and self-quarantine.

 

The Indian market has quickly shifted gears, opting for hyperlocal delivery channels to meet their needs. The demand for the hyperlocal model in the grocery market, which has always been considered the most difficult segment to break into, demonstrates its acceptance in our everyday lives and its transformation into a business reality.

 

With the advent of several online grocery stores, e-commerce sites, and other distribution-based start-ups that have forged alliances with local neighborhood stores and supermarkets, hyperlocal delivery of groceries, fruits, and vegetables has accelerated.

 

It has also assisted in the management of these stores by a younger generation that can adopt technology in their daily lives. Via intuitive smartphone applications, the in-store experience has now transformed into an in-hand shopping experience.

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Furthermore, by delivering payment and last-mile delivery expertise to community shops, these hyperlocal players have significantly minimized friction. Even during these tumultuous times, the local stores have reciprocated by keeping their supply chain intact with minimal disruptions.

 

Increasing customer demand, fueled by a growing number of well-funded start-ups, curated goods and services, and the promise of “on-demand delivery,” has fueled hyperlocal e-commerce. Their popularity has piqued the attention and involvement of some of the world’s largest corporations and online behemoths. Furthermore, consumers in metros, villages, and towns have adopted the “near me” model, with many of them adopting the “ideal combination of online convenience and physical reassurance.”

So, what is Hyperlocal Delivery, and how does it work?

The method of shipping goods directly from a distributor to a consumer is known as hyperlocal delivery.


The process entails a courier agent picking up items from a vendor and delivering them to the customer’s address. Because of the comfort and flexibility, they provide, hyperlocal deliveries are becoming increasingly common among brands.

What role does Hyperlocal Delivery play in today's pandemic?

People are not permitted to leave their homes in the current situation, which includes many lockdowns and social distancing norms across the world. People have been forced to stay indoors because of this ban. As a result, both buyers and business owners have no choice but to use delivery services. Hyperlocal delivery play a key role in this situation.

Customers are only granted access to important goods such as food, groceries, medications, medical supplies, hygiene products, and so on, which they typically purchase from nearby stores. Hyperlocal delivery has become a game-changer during lockdowns when no one can enter stores to buy their weekly food or other important goods. Hyperlocal delivery allows sellers to offer vital items to consumers right at their doorstep.

 

Today, some of the world’s most well-known businesses, such as Amazon, have begun providing hyperlocal delivery of vital goods around the country to satisfy their consumers’ most pressing needs. They have temporarily prioritized their order fulfillment and logistics capability to get high-priority goods to consumers as soon as possible.

 

Although the average man is facing significant difficulties in the current pandemic, the pandemic has also had a significant impact on companies. Company establishments are racing to prepare for the decline as the lockdown regulations relax and the markets gradually reopen. In the COVID-19 era, they are now relying on hyperlocal deliveries to remain afloat in the industry.

 

The logistics industry has benefited from the hyperlocal distribution model because it has helped them optimize time, expense, and resources. Since time is saved on short distances traveled, fewer distribution resources are needed, and sellers can serve more customers. Furthermore, since aggregators charge nominal rates based on shipment weight, small businesses do not have to spend a lot of money on shipping.

With e-commerce booming in the country, many goods must be delivered immediately within a certain radius of an area. For a hyperlocal distribution startup, this is amazingly simple to implement. Given how easily shipping behemoths have entered the country, India most certainly has the infrastructure for these. In terms of growth, it took a pandemic to recognize the value of these startups, and they have experienced exponential growth because of the demand generated during this period.


All of this indicates that hyperlocal companies are here to stay. Because of the hygiene and protection, citizens tended to focus on the well-known local businesses during the difficult times. This eventually worked; the current economic situation allowed hyperlocal vendors to take advantage of it, and the distribution system, as a result, became an effective tool.

Going forward, the hyperlocal delivery space will continue to flourish, especially at a time when the COVID-19 scare is widespread, and many consumers have grown accustomed to receiving essentials at the click of a button.


Route planning and last-mile distribution optimization are critical in pandemic situations to ensure smooth operations. Field staff and courier agents should be able to monitor their orders in real-time, ensuring that customers receive their orders on time.


Effective fleet management and last-mile delivery optimization will help you make fast hyperlocal deliveries, whether you are an e-commerce vendor or a local delivery service. So, are you ready to use last-mile delivery tools to boost the quality of your hyperlocal deliveries? MIMO can help your business come online with the best hyperlocal delivery services in the region.

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Impact of Tech Advancements On Last Mile Distribution

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Impact of Tech Advancements On Last Mile Distribution

If you run a logistics or eCommerce company, mastering the last-mile delivery service is essential. To do so, you must understand the effect of technology on the last-mile distribution market as well as the prospects for this autonomous delivery model in the future.

 

The rate of technological advancement is outpacing expectations, and it is already changing last-mile delivery. Hence, we’re seeing the start of series productions and the scaling up of technology implementation by several companies.

 

Customers want more from their distribution companies, and a highly competitive market, coupled with customers’ high-cost sensitivity, has forced the industry to build technology that will help it meet these demands. These developments, taken together, necessitate immediate adoption of these emerging technologies by last-mile providers.

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In the last-mile distribution and its advances, technology plays a critical role in resolving visibility problems. It helps to provide real-time insight into the last-mile distribution process in a variety of ways:

  1. Possibilities to address distribution problems before consumers become aware of them.
  2. Allows customer service representatives to be more proactive in dealing with distribution problems.
  3. Stops customers from calling you to check on the status of their orders.
  4. Makes you more cautious when dealing with customer delivery problems.
  5. Get real-time information on delays.

Innovations are entering the logistics industry at an exponential rate thanks to a truckload of available data through technologies such as artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, improved processing capacity, and seamless connectivity.

 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are now being used by some of the world’s leading logistics companies to develop their core business strategies and improve real-time decision-making on issues such as prices, carriers, availability, inventory, and labor.

 

However, given the ever-changing nature of technology, it can be difficult for logistics organizations of any scale to keep up with these advances. While switching from older technology to a more advanced one takes time, success in this competitive industry depends on leveraging new technologies.

Few technological developments that are reshaping last-mile delivery are mentioned below:

Real-Time Tracking

Live monitoring technology is now allowing for a clearer understanding of what is happening at every stage of the distribution process. This benefits customers as well, by providing them with correct delivery status information. In the last-mile delivery phase, tracking the field officer on the road with the delivery is critical. This real-time order tracking function gives product distributors visibility into the current position of the field officer during the distribution process.

Telematics

Telematics is a rapidly expanding area that encompasses wireless communications networks that link remote applications. In effect, they provide last-mile delivery with end-to-end connectivity.

The Gig (On-Demand) Economy

Technology may sometimes do more than just help the industry innovate. It can disrupt – to open up entirely new possibilities. Uber not only introduced new technologies to the taxi industry but also introduced an entirely new business model.

Predictive Analytics

The adoption of emerging technology by the last-mile distribution industry offers a wealth of new granular data. Predictive analytics software may take advantage of this information and uncover new opportunities for improvement, such as route optimization. Predictive analytics detects trends that can help businesses develop their operations. Forecasting future demand is one example.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an important part of many companies’ daily operations. Machine learning and robotics developments have had a worldwide influence by revolutionizing the way we delegate tasks to boost productivity.

  • It enables you to handle even the most complex data sets with precision.
  • Allows for the use of data structures and the development of data sets to monitor patterns and phenomena.
  • It creates data models that are geared toward predictive analysis.

Faster and User-Friendly Delivery Channels

Customers often choose a simpler and more user-friendly way to place an order online. If customers have a bad customer experience, they may refuse to order takeout. If the mobile app is not working well, customers can’t configure their orders, and they don’t get an immediate answer to their questions, they’ll have a bad experience. Customers should be able to position orders across all available channels, such as smart devices, social media, virtual assistants, and so on, using order distribution systems that simplify the process.

Big Data

By collecting and analyzing a vast amount of logistics data and optimizing the path for last-mile delivery in real-time, Big Data technology revolutionizes the online order and delivery system. The dispatcher may use the internet to monitor their product and driver, evaluate market products, deliver speed, check traffic, and display feedback, likes, and comments on social media, among other things.

Smart Outsourcing, ln

Outsourcing last-mile distribution to local third-party carriers with operations centers closer to their customers’ homes or workplaces will dramatically lower costs and improve delivery times.

IoT (Internet of things)

IoT offers real-time and more accurate data, as well as the ability to shield current device inefficiencies. Similarly, IoT revolutionizes supply chain processes by making them more efficient and effective.

Technology plays an important role in every stage of the logistics process. Artificial intelligence is used to automate the operation in connected warehouses. Artificial intelligence-based systems are being used by transportation companies to distribute equipment, track field agents, and optimize routes. Advanced approaches are now being used to enhance efficiency, such as location intelligence and geocoding.

 

It is difficult to keep up with the rapid advances in technology, but most companies are concerned that their rivals are implementing new technologies even faster than they are. In the last-mile distribution, groundbreaking technologies are setting new quality benchmarks. As a result, modern businesses that want to improve the productivity of their last-mile operations should look to ride this innovation surge.

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Why should businesses choose logistics service partners that employ local resources?

Logistic Service

Why should businesses choose logistics service partners that employ local resources?

Consumer landscapes are evolving at a rapid pace, while companies adapt to the new standard. Around the world, manufacturers and industrial firms are working hard to sustain and improve their supply chains. Companies that previously relied on foreign sourcing to save money are now looking for more cost-effective alternatives.


Procurement practitioners are increasingly relying on local sourcing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as other businesses’ supply chains were disrupted, this approach helped many manufacturers maintain business continuity.

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Many consumers want to keep the supply chain as close to their homes as possible.
Here is why: Logistics Service Partners

Greater adaptability:

You never know when an opportunity or a challenge will present itself. For example, a great customer might offer you a highly lucrative deal, or a current client may require you to scale up to meet demand. Are you prepared?


If you source locally, the answer is almost certainly yes. This is because local suppliers are usually more sensitive than suppliers who are located farther away where it is much easier for a retailer to organize a shipment across the street than it is to coordinate a shipment across the globe.

Enhanced Control:

You have less leverage over elements of your supply chain the farther you are away from them. Suppliers will claim to treat all customers and purchase orders fairly, but if they expect a site visit or a drop-in meeting from you, they are likely to remember you.

 

Face-to-face meetings will allow you to discuss any questions you may have and ensure that all items meet your expectations. There is also a smaller risk of something being “lost in translation,” which is normal when dealing with large numbers of people, many of whom are not on the floor and handling the items.

Optimized Supply chain costs:

If you are trying to save money, you can also think about tightening the supply chain. Companies invest a staggering amount of money on logistics per year, with North American companies investing over $1 billion annually.

 

Localizing the supply chain will help you save money on a lot of these expenses. Additionally, since less money is spent on logistics, the bottom line will suffer less.

Increased Revenue:

Local sourcing can not only help you save money, but it can also help you make more. Since your efforts to maintain a tight and fast-paced supply chain can impress local businesses, which can help you attract new customers.


Make your dedication to local sourcing a part of your marketing and sales plan. Consider incorporating it into your one-of-a-kind selling proposition.

Beneficial for the Community:

It stands to reason that if sourcing locally boosts your bottom line, it will do the same for other local suppliers and producers, which can be a huge win for your community’s economy and residents.


Employees who are happy and well-compensated are more likely to invest in local businesses. Furthermore, well-known, and affluent organizations can give back to their communities by fundraising, volunteering, incentives, and sponsored events.

Eco-Friendly:

Localizing the supply chain is a brilliant way to contribute to environmental sustainability. When you cut down on transport and storage, you cut down on pollution and energy consumption. Local sourcing not only helps you support green production but also helps you create customer confidence.

Launch your products faster:

Locally sourced employment benefits from partnering with businesses in the same time zone, which makes contact simpler and faster. You will be able to solve issues quicker and launch goods in response to spikes in market demand.
Consumer expectations for companies to improve their transparency around ethical supply chains and corporate social responsibility are at an all-time high. Manufacturers should carefully evaluate their third-party vendor risks and supply chain now.

Local sourcing will help the company become more versatile and agile, allowing it to respond to changing market demands and challenges while saving money and improving service levels. Transportation carriers, warehousing firms, freight forwarders, and third-party logistics service providers are among the local networks of businesses that offer a wide range of logistics services. Retailers, suppliers (for both new products and aftermarket parts), and distributors all have distribution operations.

 

Bottom line, businesses that rely heavily on logistics as part of their service offering or as a significant part of their overall costs need the support of local networks to help them grow and contribute to economic development.

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Why door-to-door marketing is still relevant in this digital era

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Why door-to-door marketing is still relevant in this digital era

The digital revolution has changed the marketing world, but that doesn’t mean that the hard-won experiences of door-to-door selling have lost their value. While companies are gradually moving away from in-person marketing and embracing the Internet, social media, and other ways of digital promotion and sales, they can still benefit from learning the skills of door-to-door marketing. 

 

While you might think of door-to-door sales as a thing of the past, in today’s modern climate, it is still a highly successful way to attract new customers.

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Two-way Communication

As much as technology has evolved over the years, human nature has not. There is no digital substitute for face-to-face, human-to-human connectivity. A company cannot ask a business owner to explain the obstacles his/her company faces. An internet ad cannot ask about a growing family’s requirements, make eye contact, or interpret facial expressions, but a competent salesperson can.

 

Businesses can localize their marketing activities through door-to-door sales and communicate with clients on a personal level. By engaging one-on-one, salespeople in the sales process learn about the needs, desires, and concerns of their clients. They can create trust by building a relationship, which in turn translates not only to the decision of the customer to buy but to stay loyal to the respective brand.

Traditional Marketing vs Digital Marketing

The launch of a new product or service across most marketing channels is costly and time-consuming. Expenses add up quickly, whether you are paying for market analysis, airtime, graphic design, public relations, or anything in between. This is another key differentiator in door-to-door marketing. Not only is it more cost-effective, but the implementation of modifications and the marketing of new goods is significantly quicker. With a sales team in place, launching a new product is easy as all you must do is teach the salespeople about your new service.

Measuring Success

The tricky thing about most forms of marketing is that a campaign’s success or failure is always a grey area. Although a given ad can boost brand awareness or contribute to the buzz about a new product, results are difficult to quantify. It is easy to determine whether a door-to-door marketing plan has been successful, unlike advertising campaigns. The number of new clients acquired is crystal clear, enabling businesses to monitor progress, quantify ROI and plan accordingly.

Customer Awareness

It is extraordinarily hard to stand out with so many businesses competing for the attention of consumers. Even the most innovative billboards and social media campaigns that are eye-catching are likely to get lost in the mix. For any organization trying to carve out space in a competitive market, door-to-door marketing is the secret weapon. Not only is it a less common approach to customer acquisition, but it is highly efficient at targeting individuals who have not responded to other types of customer outreach.

 

Face-to-face communication offers the ability to educate clients on items that they would not otherwise have heard about; and secondly, to impact their decision-making process.

Conventional Marketing

These days, commercial messages are everywhere. We are filled with so many advertisement messages, from billboards and TV ads to social media and smartphone advertising, that it is easy for everyone to blend into an ocean of noise that quickly disappears into the background. Therefore, marketing campaigns require door-to-door sales. In-person sales reps build real interactions with potential clients in a way that even the most advanced digital ads and artificial intelligence cannot. They interact from one person to another, adjusting their sales message and even their body language and sound.

Marketing Strategies

Seasoned door-to-door marketers realize that it is not enough to simply highlight the benefits of a product or service. Organizations need to help individuals imagine themselves using the brand and see the advantages of doing so. It is about selling a lifestyle, and not just a product. Well-trained marketers will make potential consumers feel secure, draw their attention, and start a conversation, which is the first and most significant step in attracting new customers.

Online Branding

The most effective salespeople knew their goods and recognized the people who most likely would profit from them. When choosing communities and times to pound the pavement, they keep the simple demographics of their target consumer in mind.


Today, online marketers need to know their target audience and target the platforms used by these demographics. For example, if you sell something that appeals to young people, pay attention to the social media they use and capitalize on those channels with your ads which is a way of replicating popular methods used for selling in the past.

On the surface, the way we market and sell products could have changed dramatically. But marketing in the modern era, at its heart, still revolves around the same tested approaches that were once used in the past. 

There are many reasons why one of the oldest occupations has seen a revival over the past decade: It works!
People would still choose to buy from people, no matter how advanced digital marketing becomes: It is human nature.

Although diversifying your sales and marketing strategies is the smartest sales strategy, incorporating a door-to-door feature in your marketing mix remains a successful way to maximize revenue and drive consistent sales outcomes.

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