Theme VII: Innovations in Last Mile Delivery—Voice of Industry Thought Leaders

The e-commerce boom, increasing internet penetration, intensifying urbanization and a work-from-home economy brought on by COVID-19 have accelerated the demand for last-mile delivery. There has been significant growth in last-mile delivery for a number of years, posing challenges for businesses and also driving steady innovation and progress. Then came the pandemic. The steady expansion gave way to a sudden, chaotic explosion in demand. However, the rising complexity of last-mile delivery warrants improved operational efficiencies. Stakeholders are addressing this problem with innovative products and solutions. Simultaneously, this high growth market is being disrupted by new start-ups, novel technologies like mobile robots, and emerging food & grocery delivery applications. This track explored the shifting trends and innovations impacting the last mile delivery industry. It deep-dived into how freight efficiency, supply chain visibility, and digitization will drive innovations. It also identified why and how Asia will emerge as a hub for last-mile delivery and the attendant growth opportunities that this presents for stakeholders.