According to studies, offering different delivery options is essential to ensure a high level of consumer satisfaction in e-commerce: two years ago, the Descartes Systems Group, a provider of logistics software, discovered that different delivery personas need to be created to match the existing buyer groups. These should meet customer requirements, whether in terms of cost, speed, convenience or sustainability. Accordingly, there are various opportunities for e-commerce retailers and delivery companies to optimize their services.

Regardless of whether the focus of a delivery is on speed, convenience or low costs - the environmental aspect always plays a key role. This is also shown by the study "Sustainability in delivery: customers expect more", which was published by the Descartes Systems Group in 2023. 60 percent of the 8,000 consumers surveyed stated that they pay particular attention to sustainable shipping options or even expect them before they even consider a purchase.

Route optimization and machine learning

A holistic approach pays off: individual trips are often made or long detours taken, which consume more fuel, increase theCO2 footprint and require a large fleet of vehicles. Bundling deliveries and using sophisticated route planning systems reduces the number of kilometers driven, vehicles and employees used, maintenance costs and empty runs - and therefore valuable time and costs.

Machine learning improves the accuracy of route planning and has the potential to make fleet deployment more productive. Appropriate technology can also streamline and digitalize all processes in incoming and outgoing goods, in order picking and along all stations of the entire supply chain, thereby saving additional resources.

Transparent supply chain through GPS tracking

GPS tracking of routes and automated recording of all stations in the supply chain enable customers to track their shipment in real time. This results in several advantages. On the one hand, it demonstrates environmentally conscious action by disclosing all shipping data. On the other hand, it enables dynamic scheduling, which increases delivery density and allows both customer requirements to be met and the distance per delivery to be reduced. The collected data can also be used retrospectively to identify potential sources of error, analyze work processes with a high carbon footprint and optimize them for future deliveries.

Growing sustainability awareness among younger people

A year-on-year comparison of the studies conducted by Sapio Research between 2022 and 2024 with participants from Europe and North America shows a clear trend: the concept of sustainability is becoming increasingly important and is growing from year to year. Generation Z in particular is placing a strong focus on climate-friendly online shopping.