Dark Store operators (i.e Grocery Delivery Businesses) must be both, Quick & Consistent & this is impossible without adopting digital tools.
Digital Tools to enable fast deliveries at Dark Stores:
6: Robust ERP for Dark Store Management
ERP must have the following modules
a. Supply Chain & Inventory Management - This module shall help in tracking inventory in terms of fast overs, slow movers, expiry stock & logistics across all the warehouses & dark stores, b. Human Resource Management - You can have a separate HRM or it can be provided by the ERP. It shall help manage employee records across all your locations, c. Procurement - Inventory planning & buying can be managed with re-order levels, demand forecasting & purchase orders, d. Finance & Accounting - Every transaction has to end with an accounting effect, thus using the accounting module of your ERP is highly advisable"
An ERP comprises other modules as well like Analytics, CRM, Asset Management & Project Management. A few good ERPs include SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamic, and Oodo.
5: User-Friendly Ordering App
Many e-commerce businesses have failed BIG TIME because their ordering app is extremely complicated. Your mobile app must be so simple to operate that everything happens in 2 clicks. The geo-analytics must be in-built from the beginning to route orders to the nearest dark store. Don't think of 1 darkstore while developing it. At least plan for a cluster of 8-10 as it is difficult to keep upgrading the app, time & again. Don't forget, 90%+ of e-commerce orders come from the mobile app
4: Last Mile Grocery Delivery Application
Your delivery team needs to be empowered with a grocery delivery app to manage last-mile delivery within a few minutes. Your LMD driver must be able to track the location on maps & connect with customers at a click if they are facing difficulties to find the location. Customers must also be able to connect directly with the delivery driver. This facilitates convenience for your drivers & customers & helps in faster delivery.
3: Customer Support Management
CRM must be integrated with various engagement channels like email & chat applications
Any negative feedback from customers must be captured & immediate action needs to be taken. Delays in resolving customer complaints will end in negative reviews & impact your brand image. To maintain an overall rating of 4 stars, you'll need four 5-star reviews to make up for every one-star review. Thus every complaint or negative feedback or review must be escalated via the ticketing system within your customer support application.
2: Multi-channel Order Management Application
If you are a brick & mortar retailer having a store, supermarket, or hypermarket,
Wherein you are delivering orders from your store as well, then you shall need this application. Multi-channel Order Management App enables you to deliver your store stock for online orders. You don't have to maintain a separate stock point for online orders
This app connects your store & WH Inventory & displays on your mobile app. This helps in maintaining real-time inventory for all your stock locations & the same is displayed on the mobile app.
1. Hardware tools to simplify dark store operations
a. Hand-held scanners or mobile-enabled scanners: To ease out inbound, putaway, pick & dispatch operations at dark stores & your warehouse
b. Barcode printer: Essential for products like fruits & vegetables or if you are selling a few categories with your own brand label. When you receive such inventories, it is highly recommended to define their packaging sizes & pre-pack them. Attach barcodes for easy pick & dispatch activities.
c. Order Display Screens within your darkstores: This facilitates the order cycle & helps in delivering the orders FASTER. Through these screens, the Dark Store Grocery team shall be able to monitor the orders received, orders in the picking process, orders dispatched, or even if any order is getting delayed.
TAT:
Your Dark Store's Inward Software should have a “Bin Put-away” feature, wherein you can define the exact bin location, where the product is being put. This feature also helps in picking after receiving the order & the Software should generate a pick list in the order of the “Bin-location” from one end to another to prevent back & forth & reduce the picking time.
Thank You!
Refer to our YT channel to find answers related to foll topics:
How to start a grocery delivery business?
How to start an online grocery business?
How to start an e-commerce supermarket business?
Guidelines for starting a grocery delivery app business?
What is a Dark Store?
Follow:
LinkedIn - / your-retail-coach-yrc-
Facebook - / youretailcoach
Instagram - / your_retail_coach
MUSIC USED: Alec Koff @KZfaqMusicLibrary
Time:
0:00 - Intro
1:09 - 6
2:11 - 5
2:51 - 4
3:17 - 3
4:02 - 2
4:35 - 1