GEODIS UK has introduced in-night deliveries to another 33 city centre stores in the south of England following its success with a similar operation in Scotland.
As part of GEODIS, the leading global logistics and supply chain operator, the company is exploring more environmentally-friendly models of delivery that also improve services for customers.
It first started in-night deliveries in the UK earlier this year for a large fashion retailer with stores in Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, drawing on the experience of its parent company in France.
GEODIS, the number one transport and logistics operator in France, and one of the top five in the world, operates a daily ‘Out of Hours’ service across France to meet the needs of retailers in busy city centres.
The smooth running of the in-night deliveries in Scotland has resulted in the service being extended for the same customer to 33 stores in England, stretching from London to Exeter in Devon.
Kevin Huskie, Sales Director, GEODIS UK said: “We are always looking for ways to be a true growth partner for our customers and in-night deliveries offer many advantages to retailers in city centres.
“Delivery during the night is efficient, it’s quicker, it alleviates congestion and allows store staff to concentrate on customers during the day. Our drivers deliver direct onto the shop floor so when staff arrive to start the day there’s no mess, no fuss and no distractions later on from day-time deliveries.
“The benefits of in-night delivery are clear and we anticipate that many more retailers will switch their operations over to it.”
In-night deliveries require careful planning to ensure the goods are safely in the customers’ stores before 7am and GEODIS UK takes responsibility for prioritising deliveries and planning routes.
In advance of any deliveries the company liaises with security and store staff in order to make sure its two-person delivery crews know exactly how to enter the building and where to leave the stock. Crews can unload pallets and remove packaging, leaving goods ready to put out on the shop floor.
In-night crews can also collect returns, an important factor in fast-moving retail sectors such as fashion. Delivering during the night improves stock flow.
By moving goods at night, rather than during the day, GEODIS UK cuts the carbon footprint per kilometre. Journeys take less time, produce less pollution and consume less fuel because vehicles are not caught in traffic jams.
One of the largest logistics companies in the world, GEODIS operates in 120 countries, has 165,000 customers and employs more than 39,500 people worldwide.