The retail industry has become increasingly competitive in recent years. As a result, more businesses adopt omnichannel selling tactics as client demands for speed and convenience grow by the day.
What is Direct Store Delivery (DSD)?
Direct Store Delivery (DSD) is a retail distribution model in which merchandise is delivered directly to retail outlets rather than sent to warehouses or distribution centers.
Direct Store Delivery is becoming more popular among businesses that provide pharmacy drugs, fresh foods, edible consumer goods like baked goods, snacks, soft drinks and beverages, organic farm produce, and locally produced alcohol, among other things.
Going directly to retail outlets – or even the end customer in some situations – allows businesses to save time and money on wholesale distribution and secondary warehouse storage.
What’s the Difference Between Direct Store Delivery and Centralized Distribution?
The supplier or manufacturer sends finished goods to a primary warehouse under a centralized distribution system. When the demand arises, it is delivered from this core facility to numerous distribution facilities within cities or straight to retail shops—a store manager phones the warehouse to place an order, which is usually done regularly. To replenish stocks, the ordered quantity is sent from the warehouse or distribution center to the store. The retailer is solely responsible for inventory management under this approach.
On the other hand, in the case of a Direct Store Delivery, inventory management, and shipment load are handled by the manufacturer or supplier.
Why is it essential to optimize Direct Store Delivery?
The demand for direct store delivery services is growing as a result of
Broader, more rapidly changing and expanding assortments
Delivery times are shorter
Variability in demand due to an increase in the number of promotions
These advancements significantly impact the volume of goods to be shipped and the distribution options available. To remain competitive, quality service, reliability, transparency, and efficiency are essential. Furthermore, due to increased labor expenses, transportation congestion, and rules and limits, the costs of direct store delivery are rising, particularly for city distribution. As a result, shippers and retailers want to fine-tune availability, delivery schedules, and margins more and more.
How can Direct Store Delivery be made more efficient?
Businesses can implement load building and route optimization on a strategic, tactical, and operational level to improve Direct Store Delivery. The following are the primary enhancements that lead to cost savings and improved performance:
Making the transition from static to dynamic planning
Planning shifts from decentralized to centralized
Transparency and visibility are created so that the receiver and carrier can optimize their respective parts of the supply chain.
Adding efficient load building optimizes the usage of truck space and multi-temperature zones.
What are the outcomes of Direct Store Delivery optimization?
The following are the primary outcomes of optimized Direct Store Delivery:
Savings of up to 15% on transportation costs
CO2 emissions are reduced as a result of fewer kilometers/miles driven.
Customers are happier as a result of better on-time service performance.
Delivering a reasonable amount of work to perform increases team member happiness.
Hardware footprint is reduced, mainly when cloud solutions are used.
The best Direct Store Delivery Software for your business
With Numeric Computer’s eRMS (enterprise route management system) software, you have complete control over the direct store delivery process – from inventory control to shipment scheduling to in-depth data analysis that allows you to make real-time business decisions.
Our modular design allows growing companies to address important areas of need without spending a fortune. Meanwhile, established businesses will benefit from our eRMS software’s advanced tools, which will help them optimize their DSD and warehouse management processes. Contact Numeric Computer today for the best in DSD software.
