Top Last Mile Delivery Service Providers in India for eCommerce

In eCommerce businesses, well organised last-mile logistics is one of the most important factors for success. This is because online shopping is already growing at a fast pace and therefore delivering the right products to customers quickly has become a big challenge for business owners. In India, online businesses are increasing, and finding the right last mile logistics solutions is essential to stay ahead of the competition. In the article below, we will discuss what last-mile logistics is and the list of top courier partners in India that provide last-mile logistics services.

What is Last-Mile Logistics?

Last mile logistics means the delivery of products or goods directly from a distribution center to the customer. This is the main step in the supply chain process as it impacts the customer’s satisfaction.

A smooth last mile shipping ensures timely delivery and also reduces shipping costs and streamlines the customer experience. Due to the huge customer base, managing last mile logistics services effectively has unique challenges but also offers various opportunities for growth and innovation.

5 Benefits of Last Mile Logistics Solutions for eCommerce Business in India

In India, last mile logistics solutions offer many benefits for eCommerce businesses. Let us see those advantages in detail:

1. Customer Satisfaction

Online businesses in India must keep in mind that they will have high customer expectations mainly with delivery speed and reliability. However, Last-mile logistics solutions will help them meet these expectations including timely and accurate product deliveries.

There are some features like real-time tracking, communication platforms for customers and customized delivery options such as same-day or next-day delivery that improve the customer experience. When customers receive their orders on time without any damage, their satisfaction increases quickly. This will result in positive reviews and repeat purchases.

2. Good Operational Efficiency

The management of the last mile of delivery is always difficult and expensive for the logistics process, particularly in countries like India. But with the use of advanced last mile logistics solutions, eCommerce businesses can optimise the delivery routes to reduce fuel usage and delivery times.

These solutions often use algorithms regarding the real-time traffic data, the condition of weather and customer locations for an efficient delivery plan. This not only saves time and resources but also helps to reduce errors and delays in delivery.

3. The Reduction in Shipping Cost

The shipping cost is the primary concern of last mile delivery solutions for many online businesses in India. However, the last mile delivery services can reduce these costs by providing good operations and making improvements in route planning. A clear plan in delivery management reduces the cost of fuel and the need for multiple deliveries.

In addition, the use of advanced technology in the logistics process can automate delivery processes, such as order assignment and payment processing and can also reduce operational costs. Finally, these cost savings can allow businesses to offer competitive pricing compared to other services and focus on other areas of growth.

4. A Good Scalability and Flexibility

The rise in eCommerce market in India is growing due to the demand from both urban and rural areas. This is why last-mile logistics services come into play that provide scalability and flexibility to handle this kind of sudden growth. Therefore, businesses can quickly modify the variations in order volumes, seasonal demands and geographic expansion without compromising on an efficient delivery.

Advanced logistics platforms offer scalability by integrating with multiple ecommerce delivery partners. This enables businesses to expand their reach to previously underserved areas. eCommerce businesses must understand that this adaptability is important to survive the growth and maintain a competitive edge.

5. Decision-Making with Available Data

The advanced last-mile logistics solutions are designed to generate large volumes of data that can be used to make decisions. The data regarding delivery times and customer preferences help eCommerce businesses find the areas that need improvement and optimise their logistics process.

For example, businesses can use data to predict the demand of the products, adjust the inventory and plan for the best shopping timings. This approach can increase the efficiency of businesses and help them stay ahead of competitors.

Top 5 Last-Mile Logistics Services for eCommerce Business in India

1. Blue Dart

Blue Dart is one of the best last-mile logistics solutions for any size eCommerce business in India. This is well known for its efficient delivery and technology-resulting approach. The key features of Blue Dart include:

Smart Routing: Blue Dart uses AI algorithms to optimise delivery routes for reducing transit times and costs.
Real-Time Tracking: It offers the best last mile logistics tracking to provide customers with live updates on their shipments.
Integration Capabilities: Blue Dart services integrate with various eCommerce platforms & third-party systems for better operations.
Customizable Solutions: Provides convenient logistics solutions to meet specific business needs for better flexibility and scalability.

2. Delhivery

Known for its popularity in providing shipping services, Delhivery is another last-mile logistics solution in India. Here are the key features that set Delhivery apart:

Wide Network Coverage: Delhivery covers a huge network that includes urban and rural areas across India. This option makes it ideal for reaching diverse customer bases.
Advanced Technology: This service uses advanced technology strategies for last-mile logistics tracking. These include real-time updates and efficient route optimization.
Flexible Delivery Options: Delhivery offers several delivery options that include express delivery (same-day delivery) and scheduled deliveries to meet customer needs.
Strong Infrastructure: This logistics service has state-of-the-art warehousing and various other features to streamline the last mile logistics process.

3. Ekart

Ekart is the next best last mile logistics solution in India with the key features mentioned below:

Integration with Flipkart: Its integration with Flipkart’s eCommerce platform ensures smooth and efficient handling of orders.
Nationwide Reach: Ekart’s wide range of delivery network covers major cities and also remote areas.
Real-time Tracking: The service provides last-mile logistics tracking that allows customers to monitor their shipments closely.
Customer-centric Services: The service mainly focuses on improving customer satisfaction with timely deliveries and flexible return or exchange options.

4. Ecom Express

Ecom Express is another popular and fast-growing last-mile logistics service provided for eCommerce businesses in India. The main features of Ecom Express are:

Tailored Solutions: It provides customized solutions for different eCommerce businesses. These include high-value or sensitive items.
Rural Delivery Expertise: Ecom Express provides logistics service in rural and semi-urban areas to avoid gaps in logistics last mile transportation.
Efficient Operations: The service uses advanced technology or the latest trends to make last mile logistics operations have smooth deliveries without delays.
Scalable Services: Ecom Express provides scalable solutions for shipments during seasonal peaks.

5. Shadowfax

Shadowfax has also become popular in the last mile logistics sector, with key features including:

Crowdsourced Delivery Model: The service makes use of a crowdsourced delivery model which is designed to increase flexibility and reduce delivery costs.
City-Wide Coverage: Shadowfax started offering services in major cities and urban areas to provide reliable delivery services.
Tech-Driven Efficiency: This logistics service uses cutting-edge technology for optimizing delivery routes and improving last mile logistics tracking.
Multiple Delivery Options: Shadowfax also offers varied delivery opportunities that include same-day and next-day deliveries based on customer needs.

Finally, selecting the right last mile logistics solutions is important for eCommerce businesses to improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Each of the above providers offers unique features in handling the last mile logistics process.

How does Shipway make last mile logistics easier?

Shipway is transforming last mile logistics services with its solutions designed to enhance the delivery process. The main approach of Shipway is its courier aggregation feature. This feature simplifies the ecommerce shipping process by combining multiple courier services into a single platform.

This integration allows ecommerce businesses to access multiple delivery options and choose the most efficient one for each shipment. The courier aggregation feature helps Shipway reduce the complexity of managing different delivery partners. This provides a seamless experience for both businesses and customers.

Another key benefit of Shipway is its Non-Delivery Report (NDR) management system. NDR means the instant report where delivery fails due to some reasons like incorrect addresses or recipient unavailability.

Shipway’s NDR automation addresses these issues on time and provides real-time updates and insights. This system automates the process of handling failed deliveries allowing businesses to reschedule shipments.

In addition, Shipway also provides returns automation that makes the process of handling returns more efficiently. The platform automates the product’s return process through return labels, managing reverse logistics and tracking returned items.

This shipping automation not only reduces the burden on business but also smoothens the returns process to offer satisfaction to the customers. Overall, Shipway’s shipping aggregation, NDR management & returns automation features collectively make last mile logistics easier for ecommerce and D2C brands.