As e-commerce merchants grapple with the fallout of coronavirus, it’s critical that they have logistics partners in place to help them navigate economic uncertainty.
With COVID-19 spreading around the world, public organizations and private businesses have taken extraordinary steps to contain the virus. From closing schools and imposing curfews to limiting public gatherings and shuttering brick-and-mortar businesses, countries are enforcing a wide range of precautions designed to keep people safe.
For businesses denied access to their traditional markets, however, the novel coronavirus has raised a unique array of obstacles. How can shippers stay competitive with business-as-usual no longer an option? What logistics infrastructure is available to them to meet customers who are quarantined at home and limiting their brick-and-mortar shopping?
Thankfully, e-commerce logistics can provide a way forward. By investing in the infrastructure and partnerships necessary to adapt to shifting consumer behavior, businesses can evolve to meet the challenges posed by COVID-19 and continue building meaningful working relationships with partners and customers during a trying time.
COVID-19’s Effect on Global Supply Chains
With so many businesses’ physical locations closed, companies are already having to adapt to global supply chains being seriously upended. In fact, a recent survey on the topic found that 73% of buyers and users of freight transportation and logistics services have experienced disruptions to their supply chains because of the novel coronavirus. These disruptions have been linked to a wide range of factors, including quarantines around the world, travel bans, and managing inbound demand in relation to anticipated demand — among others.
As companies grapple with the effects of such steps, it’s critical that they have plans in place to continue operations and customer fulfillment. However, according to the same survey, only 55% of respondents have risk management plans in place designed to ensure supply chain continuity and meet customer demand. This means that a significant number of businesses are attempting to navigate this unprecedented crisis on their own.
Adapting to Shifts in Consumer Behavior
Businesses’ risk management plans should give them the stability they need to continue critical operations while providing enough flexibility to adapt to shifting consumer behavior. During the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, customers have begun relying more heavily on e-commerce in order to fulfill basic needs. Due to the nature of this crisis — and the reality of social distancing for many people — shopping from the comfort and safety of home has become a necessity,
Accordingly, the companies that are ready to tap into the e-commerce economy stand the best chance of maintaining a competitive edge. Shippers will need to be able to streamline orders across platforms, manage picking, packing, and shipping, and work with customers throughout the fulfillment process to provide them with the information they need. By doing so, companies can continue doing business, even as in-person transactions are limited.
Where Experienced Logistics Providers Can Help
For businesses looking to adapt to the COVID-19 crisis, investing in supply chain continuity and e-commerce logistics is a must. By having the resources ready and the infrastructure in place to meet customers where they are — even in quarantine — companies can deliver products that customers rely on and demonstrate their resilience, even in an uncertain market.
However, while large enterprises may have the resources to handle their e-commerce operation on their own, small and mid-sized businesses may not have the resources to bring this infrastructure in-house. That doesn’t mean that SMBs should cede the market to their larger peers, though. Instead, these companies should be ready to work with third-party logistics partners who can help them navigate the ins and outs of the e-commerce landscape.
With a proven track record of success, Primary Logistics has the experience and infrastructure need to navigate our current crisis. From warehousing and distribution to targeted fulfillment support, the award-winning team at Primary Logistics is uniquely suited to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak adapt to consumer demand and succeed in the e-commerce market.
If you’d like to learn more about how award-winning shipping and logistics services from Primary Logistics and Primary Freight, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.