Can e-Grocers survive the last mile?
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Public Management
School
School of Business
RAS ID
1556
Abstract
Online grocery shopping is a significant and growing sector of e-business. While much focus is on the online order-taking technology, the delivery process affecting the so-called "last mile" is itself a major determinant of success of such operators. Using a model developed from a case study, which shows that as volume of deliveries increases, costs characteristics and activities fall into 7 discrete phases, we propose that retailers looking at last mile solutions can accurately predict costs for proposed market volumes, and do so as their business volumes increase. Online businesses then, in setting up their systems and alliances can assess their offerings in comparison to other entrants. A preliminary survey of Australian e-grocers' last mile offerings is included.
Comments
Barnett, M., & Alexander, P. (2003). Can e-Grocers survive the last mile? In Proceedings of 4th International WeB Conference (IWC). Perth, WA. We-B Centre School of Management Information Systems, Edith Cowan University.