Gorillas and Jumbo: a match made in heaven?

Dutch Jumbo Supermarkets and quick commerce company Gorillas will cooperate in the Netherlands and Flanders. They are convinced that they can benefit from each other’s expertise and strengthen their market position. It is even possible that Jumbo will take an equity stake in Gorillas. So why will this be an exciting and instructive collaboration? Demand …

Research: Citywide parcel deliveries via crowd shipping minimizing efforts for crowdsourcers

Most current crowdsourced logistics aim to minimize systems cost and maximize delivery capacity, but the efforts of crowdsourcers such as drivers are almost ignored. In the delivery process, drivers usually need to take long-distance detours in hitchhiking rides based package deliveries. In a new paper by Cheng et al. (2022), researchers propose an approach that …

Study Delivery Platforms Europe: our workers want flexibility

Some policymakers and unions have challenged the “gig economy” model of engaging independent workers and call for a reclassification of independent platform workers as employees. This policy shift would imply a move from a flexible work model, where couriers decide when and where to work, towards an inflexible work model, where the platforms or other …

Dutch Bol.com platform acquires cargobike network Fietskoeriers

Bol.com platform acquires Dutch cargobike network Fietskoeriers. This is a significant step forward to more sustainable deliveries and offers good opportunities for expanding the local-for-local ambitions of Bol and its plaza partners. Ahold Delhaize announces today that bol.com, its online retailer in the Benelux, enters into a strategic alliance with delivery expert Cycloon. The parties …

EU: cities along TEN-T network must support zero-emission city logistics

To support the transition to cleaner, greener, and smarter mobility, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the European Commission adopted four proposals that will modernize the EU’s transport system. By increasing connectivity and shifting more passengers and freight to rail and inland waterways, by supporting the roll-out of charging points, alternative refueling …

Can local stores beat quick commerce? Yes!

Supermarkets are essential for our local shopping streets. They provide traffic. The supermarket customer also buys from the specialty stores in the street. With the loss of local ‘brick-and-mortar’ sales, first online food and non-food sales, but now also by quick commerce companies like Gorillas and Getir, supermarkets and later the other stores will not …

The Road Freight Zero initiative

Road freight currently generates 15% of European CO2 emissions. About 70% of those emissions come from medium- and heavy-duty trucking (MDT/HDT). These are the hardest-to-abate segments. Nevertheless, there is a growing consensus that the zero-emission (ZE) truck industry is on course to deliver competitive business cases for the decarbonization of these fleets – through battery …

NYC Council passes bills to curb online-delivery truck chaos

NYC Council members approved measures designed to reduce traffic chaos caused by trucks delivering goods purchased online. One of the moves aims to siphon off dedicated curb space for the likes of Amazon and UPS. The legislation requires the city Department of Transportation to institute loading-only parking spots in each neighborhood and develop “micro-distribution centers.” …

What can neighborhood hubs bring for city logistics?

Logistics is crucial for a liveable city but should not lead to excessive cars and emissions. Hubs for (de)clustering goods at the neighbourhood level may provide a solution. However, what is the added value of such sites if logistical, economic and social functions are combined? The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) explores these questions …