Zebra Technologies, distributors of mobile computers, barcode scanners and barcode printers enhanced with software and services to enable real-time enterprise visibility, has unveiled the results of the Asia-Pacific edition of the Future of Fulfilment Vision Study.
This study is a body of research analysing how manufacturers, transportation and logistics firms and retailers are preparing to meet the growing needs of the on-demand economy.
Key survey findings:
- The study revealed that 67 per cent of logistics companies surveyed expect to provide same-day delivery by 2023 and 55 per cent anticipate delivery within a two-hour window by 2028. In addition, 96 per cent of survey respondents expect to use crowdsourced delivery or a network of drivers that choose to complete a specific order by 2028.
- 92 per cent of the respondents cited capital investment and operating costs of implementing an omnichannel operation as a key challenge. Only 42 per cent of supply chain respondents reported operating at an omnichannel level today. In contrast, an estimated 73 per cent of consumers shop across multiple channels.
- Seven in 10 surveyed executives agree that more retailers will continue to turn stores into fulfilment centers that accommodate product returns. By 2023, 99 per cent of retailers plan to implement buy online/pick up in store to allow a more seamless fulfilment process.
- In APAC, 93 per cent of respondents agreed that accepting and managing product returns remain a challenge. Reverse logistics remain underdeveloped and significant opportunities for improvement remain. Today, 58 per cent of retail respondents add a surcharge for returns, and 71 per cent have no plans to change this in the future.
- Today, 55 per cent of organisations are still using inefficient, manual pen-and-paper based processes to enable omnichannel logistics. By 2021, hand held computers with barcode scanners will be used by 99 per cent of respondents for omnichannel logistics.
- Radio-frequency identification technology and inventory management platforms are expected to grow from 32 per cent today to 95 per cent in 2028.
