Shipping good takes time, which means delivering directly to locations is common among modern e-retailers.
When looking at the bigger picture, getting your products to your customer faster means increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and ultimately more sales.
Van sales automation can alleviate a lot of the headaches that come with managing deliveries, managing delivery routes, monitoring drivers, and generating reports.
This blog lets you see some tips on optimizing your direct-to-store delivery operations with van sales automation.
What Is Direct To Store Delivery?
Direct to store delivery (DSD) is a model that allows the manufacturers of a product to deliver it straight to the point of sale, i.e., the stores, skipping the wholesale process.
A study published by the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association in 2008 stated that although only 24 percent of in-store merchandise were DSDs, this same 24 percent delivered 52 percent of total profits.
How Is DSD Delivery Different From Distributor-led Delivery?
Unlike distributor-led delivery, direct-to-store delivery is not just about delivering products to stores. It’s more than that.
A DSD delivery process is an end-to-end solution for FMCG companies with a massive network of distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and dealers.
It helps streamline the entire sales cycle and optimize supply chain management from product distribution to inventory and order processing.
The primary difference between distributor-led delivery and direct-to-store delivery is that in the latter model, the FMCG companies sell their products directly to the retailers through their own sales force instead of distributors.
Benefits Of Implementing A Direct Store Delivery Model
The advantages of D2S are apparent. Here are some of the most important:
1. Enables Quick Time To Market
DSD is an efficient way to get products from the manufacturer or supplier onto retail shelves as quickly as possible.
In many cases, manufacturers can fulfill orders and send them directly to the retailer’s distribution center within one day.
Almost 50% of consumers say that digital retailers meet their delivery speed expectations nearly half the time.
2. Higher Gross Margin Percentages
Since products are going directly from the point of origin to their final destination, a direct store delivery model helps reduce overhead costs and avoid extra expenses, such as storage fees.
3. More Personalized Service
You can build strong relationships with retailers with direct store delivery while offering more personalized service and sales support.
Since you’re shipping your products directly to retailers’ doors, you can customize each order based on their needs, preferences, and specifications.
4. Reduces Inventory
The DSD model allows retailers to manage their inventory better. With this model, they can regularly receive new product shipments based on actual demand from customers.
It allows retailers to stock up on necessary items at optimal levels without worrying about storage costs or excess inventory that may not sell well.
Tips To Optimize Your Direct To Store Delivery Operations With Van Sales Automation
1. Manage Your Complex Supply Chain
Van sales software can simplify your complex supply chain. You can customize the software according to your business needs and access all data from one place.
When you have a centralized database, you will have better control over your business and make better decisions for the future.
2. Gain Real-time Visibility
Automated systems give you real-time insights into all aspects of your business, including customer accounts and inventory levels.
You will be able to track orders in real-time, leading to faster deliveries and increased customer satisfaction. Also, you can quickly identify any problems before they escalate further.
3. Boost Productivity And Efficiency
When you automate repetitive tasks such as managing inventory, calculating tax, processing orders, etc., all employees will be more productive and efficient in their jobs.
It will also free up valuable time that they can spend on more productive tasks such as marketing or developing new products or services for the company.
4. Streamline Your Direct Store Delivery Operations
A big part of van sales automation is streamlining the order processing process by automating it. When customers place an order, they can expect it to be delivered quickly and efficiently.
Orders are sent directly to the warehouse, generating picking lists and processing charges with minimal manual intervention or errors.
Summing Up
The bottom line is that Van Sales Application can help streamline and improve your direct-to-store delivery operations. We recommend you try it out and see how much time, money, and stress you will save.
