The shift in corporate policies to Return-to-office (RTOs), fuelled by a desire for increased collaboration, cultural preservation and productivity gains, has become a prominent topic in corporate circles since COVID-19 and more recently being pushed to our headlines. Recently 8 in 10 companies have reported losing top talent due to the policy change. Whilst this trend has garnered significant attention, its unintended consequence on the delivery landscape has often been overlooked.
Home deliveries for remote workers came with unmatched convenience, however this has been disrupted by the increase in RTOs. Now the logistics industry faces the old challenges of increased missed deliveries as people aren’t at home to take them. This blog will dive into the specific ways that RTOs have impacted missed deliveries and explore how the logistics industry is adapting to overcome these obstacles.
As remote workers return to offices, there has been a marked increase in the number of deliveries to workplaces. While having packages delivered to the office may seem like a convenient solution for employees who are no longer home to receive them, this shift has created new logistical issues for offices, couriers, and even city infrastructures.
One of the most immediate challenges is for offices located in urban centres, there’s a lack of parking for delivery vehicles, made worse by the surge in office-bound deliveries.
As the volume of deliveries rises, many office buildings struggle to manage the demand, leading to the refusal of parcels.
More office deliveries also mean more vehicles on the road, in urban centres, contributing to congestion and environmental concerns.
In response to delivery challenges exacerbated by RTOs, a variety of alternative delivery solutions have emerged.
Parcel lockers and shop deliveries offer a convenient and flexible way for recipients to pick up packages at a time and place that suits them, reducing missed deliveries and increasing security, a problem requiring a solution as 20% of consumers reported having items left on their doorstep going missing.
As the logistics industry looks to the future, emerging technologies like drone deliveries offer exciting possibilities for solving some of the challenges posed by RTOs.
The shift in return-to-office policies is shaping more than just corporate culture; its transforming how deliveries are managed. As more employees return to workplaces, the demand for office deliveries has increased but people are realising it is not the best solution.
To address challenges such as congestion, limited parking and limited parcel infrastructure, the logistics industry is adapting, and alternative solutions are rising in popularity. Parcel lockers and shops offer greater convenience and flexibility for consumers, increase security and reduce handling costs. Emerging technology like drone delivery holds promise for the future, offering faster delivery times, reduced congestion and increased efficiency.
As companies continue to refine their RTO policies and employees adjust to new routines, delivery services will need to remain agile, embracing new technologies and adapting to evolving consumer preferences. By doing so, they can continue to meet the growing demand for reliable, secure, and efficient deliveries in an increasingly complex landscape.
