Acing the e-commerce game – dynamic and challenging as ever

India’s e-commerce market is on a rise bolstered by the growing internet and mobile penetration, increasing numbers of online shoppers and acceptability of digital payments.

In our current world grappling with the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, demand and supply patterns have been impacted. The need for social distancing and lockdowns of various shopping malls, markets and public spaces has resulted into many more people opting for e-commerce. It is emerging as a feasible option as it involves minimal contact with other people and helps maintain requisite safety precautions that have been prescribed.

Even the types of goods that are in demand have undergone a change and essential goods are a lot more sought after. Needless to say, this has led to numerous e-commerce retailers needing to ramp up storage facilities, restructure their warehouse management and relook at operations to optimize procurement, storage and delivery processes. Lockdowns across the world and a slowdown in the global trade and economy have added to the challenges of an already complex business.

A leading e-commerce player like Gati can prove to be just the right fit for e-commerce players who are looking for end-to-end management of their logistics process to ensure timely deliveries and happy customers that lead to repeat business and increased profitability.

Gati, as an Allcargo company, also offers customers an opportunity to now rely on a single partner for truly end-to-end services which in addition to Gati’s services would include even NVOCC, Container Freight Stations – Internal Container Depots, Contract Logistics, Project Logistics, etc. that are Allcargo Logistics’ expertise as the global leader in LCL consolidation and India’s biggest integrated logistics services provider.

Reliable solutions – across the supply chain

Gati has capabilities to manage the entire gamut of e-commerce logistics, right from forward booking and reverse logistics to even product exchange as needed. Whether a business needs Business-to-Business, Business-to-Customer or Customer-to-Customer e-commerce solutions, Gati is well-equipped to provide them.

No matter what the category of goods is, or what their weight, type and size, customers can count on Gati’s e-commerce services to deliver them on time, every time, anywhere in the country.

A number of value-added services like Cash-on-Delivery, digital payments, sender-specified mode of transport, packaging solutions, dedicated customer service and last mile delivery payment solutions enhance Gati’s e-commerce logistics offerings even further.

Strengthened by a nationwide network

Gati offers unmatched coverage across more than 19,000 PIN Codes across India. It has the largest fleet size of vehicles in the country and can ensure deliveries of parcels ranging from the heaviest to the lightest, at even the remotest locations.

With its large fleet of vehicles to service customers across the country, Gati can deliver more than 60,000 shipments every day.

What’s more, as a pioneer and leader in the express distribution business, Gati’s transportation network of Gati associates can be effectively leveraged for e-commerce deliveries creating synergies that no other player can possibly match.

The unique edge of advantage gives Gati the flexibility of offering its e-commerce customers the scalability and flexibility they need while managing demand fluctuations during festive seasons or online sales seasons.

Managing returns and exchanges with diligence

GATI’s exchange solutions are designed through a successful merger of efficient forward and reverse flows into one process. Equipment, facilities and personnel share both forward and reverse logistics activities, resulting in reduced costs and improved service levels. Distribution facilities are designed to handle reverse product flows and personnel are also trained to effectively decide whether to re-shelf or return items to vendors/suppliers.

Product returns are handled and stored with the same diligence as products moving in a forward direction. Products with short product life-cycles lose their value more quickly. Thus, any delays in forward or reverse logistics that keep the items in the distribution system longer than necessary tend to result in some loss in product value. GATI’s exchange solutions are designed to minimise delays in reverse logistics. Gati’s IT infrastructure too is integration-ready to share exchange/reverse pick-up specific data with customers.

Tech-enabled, end-to-end e-commerce solutions

Gati’s highly evolved IT infrastructure is equipped to support the latest industry standards and integrate with customers to provide best in industry information exchange standards.

Real-time data flows between Gati’s ERP and Warehouse Management Systems, route optimization that produces exact directions for drivers to help save on time, vehicle tracking systems that can be integrated to get complete visibility of the goods being delivered at all stages, clear information on delivery ETAs and availability at the booking stage itself, real-time delivery notifications to the customer as well as the end-consumer, quality checks at appropriate stages, generation of proof of delivery and fulfilment and automated KPI reporting for managers are some of the main advantages of Gati’s tech-enabled solutions.

With such sophisticated digital support every step of the way, not only can customers be rest assured of flawless deliveries, but they can also opt for customised solutions and value-added services based on the requirements and expectations of their end-consumers.

Particularly for SMEs in the e-commerce space that don’t have the wherewithal to set up e-commerce logistics operations, such customised e-commerce solutions are definitely the right step ahead.

Reliable e-commerce services, bridging distances across borders

When it comes to door-to-door deliveries across borders, Gati leads the way with end-to-end logistics solutions.

With a sustainable cross-border network, Gati has been expanding its presence and operations in China.

Gati offers customer-friendly custom clearance, warehousing services, transportation by surface or air as well as a wide range of payment options for deliveries.

Going the extra mile for customer delight

If there’s one thing that really takes away the uncertainties and hassles of e-commerce deliveries, it is the assurance of constant visibility, tracking and customer support. In addition to adapting technology to offer easy access to relevant information, Gati also provides customer service 24×7 for all 365 days of the year.

A dedicated customer support service centre handles numerous calls every month, helping customers with docket tracking until delivery, reverse booking, complaint resolution, non-delivery reason updation and lots more.

For end-consumers, Gati has in place, last mile delivery communication wherein the Gati associate connects with the customer through a board number and confirms the delivery schedule. This system has dual benefits; the customer’s phone number remains protected and delays due to re-attempt and re-booking are avoided.

Conclusion

The time is perfect for numerous e-commerce businesses to rise and shine with constantly increasing demands for a wide range of across the country. And to manage the e-commerce logistics operations with no constraints on product categories, industry sectors, size of the business or destination of the deliveries, Gati’s e-commerce team is up and running; all set to deliver more smiles and more business growth!