Challenges and solutions of logistics operators in the last mile of supply chains
The paper explores the key role of the last mile in the evolution of supply chains, with a focus on identifying challenges and solutions applied in the last phase of delivery. Today's challenges for logistics operators have significantly evolved over the past two decades due to current and growing trends. With the rise of e-commerce and urbanization, the last mile becomes a crucial point of competition, where fast, customized, and sustainable delivery emerges as an imperative for all involved stakeholders. The paper is divided into three parts. The first part refers to the identification of challenges faced by logistics operators in the last phase of the supply chain. The second part of the paper provides an overview of existing solutions and strategies that can be used to respond to challenges in the last mile of delivery. The third part offers case studies that provide a comparative cost analysis using different strategies in the last mile of delivery. Through the analysis of various solutions and strategies in the final stage of the supply chain, different aspects of efficiency and costs are illuminated in various scenarios. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for shaping the future of delivery that is efficient, sustainable, and tailored to the needs of the modern consumer.