Ep 344: bpost's carbon calculator for parcel delivery emissions
Postal Hub podcast
Belgian postal operator bpost has launched its carbon calculator, which estimates the carbon emissions associated with domestic parcels. Karin Enzlin, Head of Sustainability at bpost, discusses how the carbon calculator works and what it could mean for e-commerce delivery. Background on bpost’s environmental and sustainability strategy and ambitions Electrifying the last mile and using out-of-home delivery Emission-free delivery in Ecozones Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive Lowering emissions Reporting bpost’s emissions to e-commerce retailers How bpost’s carbon calculator...
info_outline
Ep 343: Packaly CEO on reducing and reporting emissions
Postal Hub podcast
Axel Dekker, CEO and co-founder of Packaly, discusses delivery optimisation, reducing emissions, and reporting emissions. Overview of the Packaly network Freelance riders and local partners Consolidating orders Ship-from-store and ship-from-hub Choosing the right vehicle for delivery routes Managing volumes (size) and routing for delivery vehicles Working with retailers and delivery partners to improve data Delivering to low-emission zones Sharing delivery hub infrastructure Giving retailers greater visibility of last mile emissions Calculating emissions at a...
info_outline
Ep 342: Matkahuolto delivering parcels across Finland and the Nordics
Postal Hub podcast
Kati Nevalainen, Director, Parcel Services at Matkahuolto, discusses parcel delivery across Finland and the Nordics: History of Matkahuolto carrying parcels Matkahuolto's public transport roots B2B, B2C and C2C deliveries Interacting with C2C via mobile apps as well as in-store Residential delivery and out-of-home delivery Matkahuolto's service point network Finnish consumers' delivery preferences Size of Matkahuolto's parcel locker network and service point network Density of out-of-home network Location of Matkahuolto parcel lockers Cross-border delivery and delivery partners,...
info_outline
Ep 341: Responding to falling letter volumes
Postal Hub podcast
Peter Dunn, Director of European Relations, Cullen International, discusses the USO, how European postal operators are reacting to falling letter volumes, and more. The purpose of the Postal Services Directive, including letters USO and quality of service How local universal service obligations can be changed Flexibility provisions in Postal Services Directive Changes to letter delivery frequency in Italy (Poste Italiane) Letter volume declines in Nordic countries Introducing alternate-day letter delivery Lack of standardised EU approach to USO scope definition Parcels in the USO Local...
info_outline
Ep 340: Gig economy delivery and q-commerce - has the bubble burst?
Postal Hub podcast
Professor John Colley from the Warwick Business School discusses developments in gig economy delivery and ultrafast grocery delivery (q-commerce). We cover: Demise of rapid, ultrafast delivery Difficult economics of ultrafast delivery High costs of q-commerce never passed on to consumers Supermarket chains acquiring failed rapid delivery startups Availability of venture capital funding Gig economy delivery model Regulation of the gig economy Workers' rights and driver strike action Lack of profitability and growth in gig economy delivery Difference between markets Affluence vs low minimum...
info_outline
Ep 339: Customer experience in the last mile
Postal Hub podcast
Rob King, CEO and co-founder at Zedify, discusses customer experience in the last mile, sustainability, greenwashing, and cargo bike delivery. Creating better delivery for customers and the environment Large vehicles vs small vehicles in urban delivery Microhubs in cities The last mile as an extension of the online retailer's brand Retailers paying more attention to delivery emissions Key factors in getting the customer experience right in delivery Estimated delivery times and electronic delivery notifications The human interaction at the doorstep Retailers' concerns about greenwashing in...
info_outline
Ep 338: Transporting parcels overnight via rail in the UK
Postal Hub podcast
Phil Read, Managing Director at Varamis, talks about using electric trains to transport parcels overnight in the UK: The inspiration behind Varamis Advantage of using high-speed passenger trains for moving parcels Acquiring electric trains Overnight parcel train service between Birmingham and Glasgow Proving trains can meet demands of parcel delivery sector Train paths - slots in the railway timetable Offering a regular train service for parcels Using former Royal Mail Red Star Parcel facilities Streamlining loading and unloading processes Integrating with the last mile Being price...
info_outline
Ep 337: Social-inclusive delivery with Scootbezorgd
Postal Hub podcast
Myrthe Rosema, founder of social-inclusive delivery start-up Scootbezorgd, discusses the practical and social impact of last mile delivery via mobility scooter. The inspiration for Scootbezorgd Changing perceptions of mobility scooters Current operational area Using customised mobility scooters to ensure range Empowering people of differing physical and mental abilities to deliver B2B and B2C deliveries Fast (same-day and rush) delivery Paying couriers Waiting list to join Scootbezorgd Delivery technology and route planning Delivery scooters can traverse different topographies Riding on...
info_outline
Ep 336: New trends in e-commerce impacting delivery
Postal Hub podcast
Carmen Cureu, Market Research Director at Geopost, discusses some of the details in the 2023 edition of Geopost's e-shopper barometer. The factors driving modern e-commerce Why convenience is important E-commerce allowing customers to find bargains Decisions shoppers make when purchasing online Products need to be aligned with consumers' expectations Barriers to e-shoppers returning to an e-commerce website Consumers want to avoid returns Cost and environmental considerations of e-commerce returns Inconvenience to consumers of dealing with returns Statistics on e-commerce returns C2C...
info_outline
Ep 335: Building efficient out-of-home delivery networks
Postal Hub podcast
How can delivery companies build efficient out-of-home delivery networks? Cédric Hervet, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Kardinal, discusses the challenges industry players face in finding the best locations for PUDOs and lockers in terms of profitability and customer coverage: Why delivery companies are considering out-of-home delivery Differences between B2B and B2C parcel delivery First-time delivery Delivery density Cost per delivery Key factors in making out-of-home delivery a success Customer expectations Having trusted PUDO partners Offering customers multiple delivery...
info_outlineDean Maciuba, Managing Partner (USA) for Crossroads Parcel Consulting, discusses the ramifications of the UPS - Teamsters deal, FedEx’s cost-cutting, USPS reform, and Amazon delivery contractors.
- Impact of UPS’s deal with Teamsters
- How UPS was travelling prior to striking a deal with the union
- FedEx’s efforts to reduce its operating costs
- Amalgamation of FedEx’s Ground and Express networks
- FedEx’s improved competitiveness with UPS
- UPS parcel volume loss
- Losing low-margin residential e-commerce business
- Potential for lay-offs at UPS
- UPS’s focus on high-revenue express business
- FedEx’s low-cost contractor model
- Potential for UPS-Teamsters deal to raise wages across the sector
- Earning potential of Amazon drivers
- The war for talent in the last mile
- Amazon remuneration of Delivery Service Partners
- Employee/contractor classification issue
- FedEx’s experiences with mis-classification
- Dynamic pricing and surcharges in the USA
- The costs behind peak season
- Granularity of dynamic pricing
- Lack of transparency in parcel pricing
- US Postal Service reorganisation under PMG Louis DeJoy
- Volume decline at USPS
- Changes to USPS ground services
- USPS investing more in sales and communications
- Amazon’s encroachment into non-metro delivery
- Rural delivery surcharges
- Peak season preparations
- The extension of peak season