Use of micro-fulfilment centres to cater to the ever increasing need for speed
Let us manage your Dark Stores and you focus of higher Revenues
Not only do dark stores create an opportunity to sell in-store merchandise contact-free, they also provide stress-free and fast delivery options. With dark stores, shoppers do not have to waste time finding a parking spot, rummage through the store to find what they need, and stand in long lines at the checkout. These fulfillment “hubs” allow for fast delivery for local customers, as well as offer affordable shipping for all other customers while keeping carrying costs low by leveraging their physical retail space.
Dark stores simplify the picking and packing process by storing a large volume of inventory in a smaller space rather than a large warehouse. Dark stores are set up primarily to fulfill orders, which allows merchants to optimize the space for easy picking. This makes warehouse picking and inventory tracking faster and more accurate.
This year, shoppers got a taste of different options on how to receive their online orders, including curbside pickup, local delivery, and faster, more affordable shipping. Especially for essentials, like personal care items and groceries, dark stores also provide local customers the convenience to easily pickup orders or get them delivered as fast as same day. Because of this, these types of delivery options are most likely here to stay years after the pandemic.
Since customers are not allowed inside functional dark stores (and if they are, there’s a designated area for pickup only), its layout can be planned to enhance storage and picking capabilities. Improving storage capacity guarantees greater product assortment, while faster picking ensures that orders are fulfilled faster without compromising order accuracy
Since dark stores are much smaller than a traditional warehouse, it’s much easier to track inventory levels. Many dark stores are also equipped with inventory management tools to help control stock levels in real time. These types of tools also help retailers identify whether or not they are stocking too much inventory (known as “deadstock“) or not enough, which can lead to stockouts. By simplifying the inventory control process, you’re able to ensure you have an optimal level of inventory at all times.
Sometimes, one dark store ends up supporting retail fulfillment of several stores within a geographic region. Since these warehouses are customer-free zones, where pickers can easily navigate aisles without having to dodge shoppers and their carts, dark stores are able to manage a large volume of orders. But not without the right technology. Though dark stores can easily provide more delivery options for customers, it can be a challenge to optimize dark stores without the right technology to automate fulfillment tasks. .
Once shoppers get used to your brand’s fast, reliable, and accurate delivery of goods, they are likely to turn into long-term, loyal customers. The more options you’re able to provide your customers, whether it’s pickup options for locals or different shipping options, dark stores give the ability to provide more for your customers, which ultimately drives more sales and increases customer lifetime value.