A couple of years ago, the idea of having groceries or veggies couriered from our favorite store would have sounded alien. Thanks to the new-found concept of Last Mile Delivery, that thought is now part of almost every household.

Last mile delivery in India has taken a planet sized form. Pandemic has further launched the segment to the stars. It is a truism in the ondemand industry today that in the entirety of the supply chain, it is the very last step that is the most crucial, as well as the most problematic of them all. Owing to its place in the fag end of the chain, it is often referred to as the ‘LastMile Delivery’. This indispensability coupled with the challenge, make it a tough cookie to crack. Probably, Dunzo will be the first name that pops up in your mind when you hear the term 'Last Mile Delivery'. The Last mile delivery firm Dunzo is on a mission to deliver convenience, choice, and control to everyday living. It wants to deliver a grocery buying experience far better than any offline experience that requires one to wait or walk to one's local store or wait for slots from other online platforms. So, can we really say Dunzo has got it all figured out? There are still some serious last moment challenges that impact the industry. To ensure efficiency of transportation operations and ensure a benign experience for customers, the hindrances to optimal Last Mile Delivery have to be weeded out.

With the exponential growth, the market will also see increasing penetration of connected vehicles, telematics technologies as well as the increasing influx of Electric Vehicles. In terms of player actions, while most will benefit from the growth of the market, it is also vital to think about differentiated offerings to be able to command a premium in the segment and this differentiation is bound to come through the intersection of the service offering, the underlying cost structure and the enabling use of technology. Do let us know what you think.