Winning The Last Mile In The Supply Chain Race

Micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) are the next step in creating a harmonious omni-channel supply chain.

Ongoing shifts in the retail landscape, driven by e-commerce, along with changing customer demands and expectations, are creating increased need for fast, efficient local fulfillment.

Automated MFCs allow companies with or without a brick-and-mortar footprint within a particular area to move fulfillment closer to customers in order to reduce transportation costs and enable shorter delivery times, benefitting both the retailer (or Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) producer), and the customer.

Companies can build a micro-fulfillment center as a standalone facility, or inside or bolted on to an existing location, to expand fulfillment capacity. MFCs can support customer curb-side pick-up, too, or a hybrid of pick-up and delivery.

This white paper will also look at the importance of synergizing online with storefront, how automation can boost efficiency and profitability, and where MFCs are heading in the future.