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France : Omni-Channel Retailing Driving Third-Party Logistics Opportunity, as Relationships with Shippers Thrive, Global Study Reveals [TendersInfo (India)](TendersInfo (India) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Capgemini Consulting, the global strategy and transformation consulting brand of the Capgemini Group; Penn State University; global talent advisory firm Korn/Ferry International; and global logistics and supply chain solutions provider, Penske Logistics, today announced findings from the 2015 19th Annual Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Study which examines the global outsourced marketplace of shippers and 3PLs in the logistics industry. The latest worldwide report shows that shipper-3PL relationships continue to grow, as a new omni-channel retailing landscape opens up. With consumers looking for always-on, shopping opportunities, retailers are starting to invest in technology, supply chain resources and fulfillment strategies that will provide a seamless experience across all retail sales channels. Due to an inconsistent global economy, shippers report an average of 36% of their total logistics expenditures are related to outsourcing, compared to 44% last year. However, 67% of shippers are increasing their use of outsourced logistics services this year (72% in 2013). Fifty three percent of shippers are reducing or consolidating the number of 3PLs they use. For almost one-third (32%) of respondents from the pool of shippers and 3PL providers surveyed, customer service is the driving force to invest in omni-channel. The report, based on responses from over 770 shippers and logistics service providers in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, found that while the importance of the omni-channel network is well understood, omni-channel supply chains are still maturing leaving a wide gap between consumer / retail expectations and companies adopting a wait and see approach. In addition, customer service (32%), service levels (23%) and freight costs (11%) are mentioned as key drivers to adopt an omni-channel approach. However, one-third of respondents (33%) are not prepared to handle such forms of retailing. Only 2% of respondents rated themselves as high performing in the omni-channel space. Half of the survey respondents (50%) are testing or investing in new fulfillment strategies to enable the growth of the omni-channel network but 16% are utilizing or considering home delivery from local store, 15% do or plan Sunday delivery, 12% are using or investigating customer delivery in which an in-store shopper delivers goods, 11% are using or considering locker pick-up. "As customers continue to demand more from retailers and ultimately from 3PLs, it is likely that the 3PL business model will evolve further. If companies continue to creatively invest in omni-channel fulfillment solutions and embark on new partnerships, these new solutions have the potential to alter the way existing 3PLs do business," commented Shanton Wilcox, Vice-President Supply chain Management, Capgemini Consulting. (c) 2014 Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |