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Orchestrate logistics operations with multiple 3rd party carriers
Achieve cost effective, scalable, sustainable, and customer centric deliveries
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Improve address accuracy, ensure first-attempt delivery success, reduce costs and boost customer experience
Gain end-to-end shipment visibility, get proactive alerts, and send customers live tracking links
Grow business in a dynamic world and manage operations across First, Middle & Last mile
Delight customers by seamlessly managing store and online orders across own fleet and 3rd party
Reduce freight costs & get end to end visibility across shipments
Dealing with expired items or batches is a major challenge for warehouse executives, especially in food and grocery, pharmaceutical and the FMCG industry. Let’s consider the food and grocery industry. According to the National Center of Biotechnology Information, in the case of fresh fruits and vegetables, the combined post-harvest loss and waste can reach as high as 50% of the produced volume. It frequently happens that businesses ship out expired items to customers causing significant dents to their reputation and customer retention.
Using an advanced warehouse management system (WMS) that is powered by automation, IoT and real-time data analytics, businesses can address this concern to a large extent. For instance a leading online cosmetics and skincare brand, used a modern WMS to shrink loss due to expiry by 55%. So, let’s explore how businesses can optimize warehouse operations to drastically reduce the impact of expiry on their bottom line and customers.
When it comes to managing expiry, the traditional ‘First-in-first’ (FIFO) strategy might not always work. Instead, leverage a First-Expiry-First-Out (FEFO) strategy. This will ensure that items with the nearest expiration dates are sold or used first. FEFO ensures that products are shipped based on their remaining shelf life and their final destination. By only shipping goods with known expiration dates, it guarantees that high-quality products reach their destination, reducing the risk of product loss during transport. FEFO helps drastically reduce the risk of selling expired products, thus maintaining product quality and customer trust.
How it boosts customer experience:
By using advanced warehouse management tools, businesses can trigger automated alerts on executing rotation and cycle counting activities and significantly reduce instances where expired items are shipped. Such tools can also send automated notifications regarding upcoming product/batch expirations. This proactive approach allows timely decisions on moving, discounting, or disposing of near-expiry items.
There is no overstating the significance of real-time inventory visibility when it comes to expiration management or compliance adherence. It helps track when exactly an item/product/batch was manufactured, when it will expire and where a batch was located during expiry. This transparency helps in making informed decisions and maintaining optimal stock levels.
Using an advanced WMS, businesses can easily optimize storage and handling practices in a way that facilitates efficient inventory rotation and minimizes the risk of damage or spoilage. This can include using specialized storage solutions for perishable goods and regularly reviewing storage conditions.
Managing inventory expiry is critical for maintaining product quality and enhancing the customer experience. By implementing strategies like FEFO, utilizing automated alerts, gaining real-time inventory visibility, and optimizing storage practices, businesses can significantly improve their inventory management processes. A robust WMS plays a pivotal role in these strategies by providing the necessary tools and insights to manage inventory effectively, reduce waste, and ensure that customers always receive the best possible products.
