Last-mile delivery: the 5 mistakes to avoid

The last mile, Achilles' heel

The final leg of delivery concentrates most of the difficulties and costs. According to the Capgemini Research Institute, the last mile represents up to 41% of total supply-chain costs. That's where profitability is won or lost, and where the same mistakes recur.

Mistake 1: planning routes by hand

The human brain can't optimise 40 stops under time constraints. A heuristic like 2-opt (Croes, 1958) does it in a fraction of a second, with better results. Fix: an automatic optimisation tool, even an entry-level one, beats manual planning.

Mistake 2: not warning the recipient

An absent customer is costly. An "out for delivery" notification cuts first-attempt failure by around 25 to 35% according to industry analyses. Fix: automate notifications with real-time tracking.

Mistake 3: skipping digital proof

The paper sheet gets lost and doesn't protect you in a dispute. Without proof, a customer can contest a completed delivery. Fix: electronic signature and photo synced in real time.

Mistake 4: steering without data

Not measuring success rate, time per stop or cost per delivery is flying blind. A failure costs, for example, about $17.2 in the US and £11.6 in the UK per parcel (Statista). Fix: a dispatch dashboard with real-time KPIs.

Mistake 5: stacking disconnected tools

WhatsApp for addresses, Google Maps for navigation, Excel for tracking: this trio scatters information and prevents any analysis. Fix: an integrated platform where dispatch, driver app and customer portal converge.

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