Category «Food for thoughts»

The city logistics challenge: zero-impact

City logistics is about economically vital and healthy city centers and residential areas. Fortunately, it now encompasses much more than zero-emission, addressing issues such as reducing CO2, enhancing road safety, minimizing noise, and, most importantly, reducing traffic and using public space: zero impact. Over the next 5 to 10 years, achieving zero-impact city logistics means: …

Deloitte parcel delivery industry outlook: reviving the business model towards profitable growth

The rapidly evolving challenges have left many parcel-carrier incumbents struggling. Even before COVID-19, senders and receivers expected more from parcel delivery: shorter and more predictable delivery windows (from next week to next day, to within two hours), more and more flexible delivery options (pick up in store, parcel lockers, favorite neighbor) and greener deliveries. Deloitte …

On-shoring and near-shoring: how to align European supply chains?

Supply chains have been the lifelines of globalization, delivering lower costs and higher efficiencies to production and gains to businesses and consumers worldwide. However, the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and the increasing importance of sustainability and speed to consumers are changing how companies think about globalization and supply chains. Supply chains were previously organized to minimize …

Valuable ICCT-report on zero emission zones, however not comprehensive

ICCT published a paper to aid cities in planning and implementing low- and zero-emission zones by sharing lessons learned from Europe and North America. The study identifies underlying legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, reviews incentives to encourage the transition to zero-emission vehicles and other modes of mobility, and summarizes critical actions for cities to consider …

Is there a future in community shipping?

What if the neighbors came to deliver your parcels from now on? It was a hilarious idea from the Dutch TV program Koefnoen in 2016. Okko and Eus walk with their wagon through the neighborhood, delivering parcels. With all the car-free plans, there may be a future in community shipping as a sustainable option for …

Car-free cities offer new business opportunities

Car accessibility as a privilege is no longer a given in cities. Inner cities and residential areas are becoming car-free. Residents, visitors, and business owners must deal with it. Car-free is the new normal. Does that also create opportunities for creative companies? Almost two-thirds of Amsterdammers favor fewer car routes through the city and more …

The future of urban two-person deliveries

In response to changing consumer markets, retailers are moving to an “omnichannel model,” combining inventory in the physical store with a webshop and home delivery and installation. Delivering and installing heavier products at consumers’ homes is a specialty in the home delivery market like furniture, white goods, and electronics delivery. Dutch web stores deliver consumers …