The global delivery software market for grocery has been recording significant growth rates with substantial CAGR for the past couple of years. According to a report, this market is anticipated to grow more rapidly during the forecast period. It can also impact the economic structure worldwide with a more significant revenue share. The growth of the grocery delivery software market is driven by growing product demand, increasing disposable incomes, altering consumption technologies, innovative products, and raw material affluence.
The grocery delivery market is set for growth, with online grocery sales anticipated to reach $100 billion by the end of 2022. There are many online grocery delivery services globally, some of whose grocery battle is leading in the grocery delivery market. The success of these services is based mainly on two factors: efficiency and time. An online grocery store must deliver fresh produce at the appropriate time to the customer.
The unpredictable factors like last-minute consumer requests, traffic congestion, and specific delivery windows can create chaos on route planning attempts. Some small and medium-sized grocers spend lots of time figuring out delivery routes by using pen and paper or some other inappropriate tools. Also, these routes have to be adjusted all day. Since grocery delivery is expensive and time-consuming, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs must be the top priority. But delivery optimization can help in this matter. An advanced delivery optimization software can improve operational efficiency by quicker deliveries, driver monitoring, and faster route planning.
With the implementation of grocery delivery software, businesses can receive a range of advantages that enhance efficiency, raise profits, and reduce the carbon footprint that helps the environment in many ways. The benefits of using route optimization software are enumerated below.
Create efficient routes
There will be a delay in the delivery when the drivers don’t take the best route to deliver groceries to the consumers. Late deliveries will upset the customers, which will ultimately lead to revenue loss and a bad reputation. When planning the quickest route for deliveries, it is essential to consider factors such as traffic, specific delivery windows, road and weather conditions. It is challenging to manually balance all these factors for a large number of vehicles and their routes. This process can be very challenging and also time-consuming. This is where grocery delivery software comes into effect.
Monitor drivers
Drivers generally tend to slow down when they are unattended. The drivers may also indulge in unproductive activities like running personal errands, stopping for coffee while on duty. Drivers might even get engaged in dangerous driving habits like harsh braking, tailgating, or speeding. The delivery optimization software has GPS tracking abilities that track them in real-time to ensure that they follow cautious driving practices and hold onto their routes.
Alter routes in real-time
The needs of the customer can change at all times. They may ask for a different time of delivery or ask to deliver groceries at a different address. Changes in one address can affect the whole route. This exercise might take hours if attempting to do it manually. It would be challenging to inform the driver over a phone call. Also, distracting the driver could be dangerous. With the help of delivery optimization software, it only takes a few seconds to re-create an alternate route, so juggling some addresses would not be a monumental task. Any alteration made to an already arranged course with modern route planning software will automatically appear on the driver’s mobile app. In this way, you can avoid distracting them.
Resolve customer disputes easily
A multi-stop route planner consists of an eSignature feature, which will help to resolve such disputes. This attribute allows the consumers to put their sign on the mobile app of the driver. This delivery proof will never be lost or damaged. This will give surety if a delivery has been made or not.
Lower fuel expenses
A route planner aids to save fuel usage. It, in turn, reduces the cost. When the drivers are provided with the shortest and quickest routes possible, the driving time will get reduced, due to which the fuel consumption also reduces. Having this route optimizer will also save money on unplanned vehicle repairs. It is because features like analytics and reporting will allow the online grocery delivery services to keep track of fuel costs and maintenance on the vehicles and other necessary information associated with employees’ overall health.