The “last mile problem” remains one of the biggest challenges for online retailers: how to find profitable ways to deliver products to residential customers’ doorsteps. A wave of high-profile innovators, from Instacart to Uber, are bringing fresh approaches to the last mile problem. But we can also learn from someone with a much longer track record in last mile delivery: Santa.
The Digital Transformation Trap
The last few years have seen a wave of interest in “digital transformation”. Many companies have now publicly committed to a digital transformation strategy, often linked to the appointment of a Chief Digital Officer to the Executive team. There are several definitions of digital transformation.
The Tipping Point in Online Retail
Around the world e-commerce now accounts for around 7% of total retail sales. However 7% is an average that masks massive variation between sectors.
Are You a "Thinker" or a "Doer"?
I started working in retail with Tesco.com back in 2001 and noticed immediately that different leaders would approach the same situation with completely different approaches.