Our latest ebook, “5 Key Levers to Optimize the Omnichannel Distribution of Fresh Products,” outlines five high-impact strategies to help retailers stay ahead — and strike the right balance between customer satisfaction, cost control, and sustainability.
Why Fresh Products Demand a Rethink
The food distribution sector is being reshaped by powerful forces: the surge in e-commerce, the rising complexity of customer journeys, the growing demand for transparency and eco-responsibility. Whether click & collect, home delivery, or quick commerce, the ability to deliver reliably — and sustainably — has become a key differentiator.
Fresh products are especially sensitive to logistical performance. Poor rotation, stockouts, or failure to maintain the cold chain can directly erode consumer trust. Yet the stakes are not just economic: they touch on food waste, regulatory pressure, and long-term brand loyalty.
So what can be done?
Discover the 5 Game-Changing Levers
- Increase traceability for greater transparency and security
From RFID tags to interconnected systems, traceability isn’t just a compliance requirement — it’s a value-adding differentiator. Giving consumers clear information on origin, handling, and expiry strengthens trust and enhances inventory visibility.
- Make the customer promise more reliable
Better flexibility in orchestration and real-time communication (e.g., SMS alerts for substitutions) helps ensure on-time, in-full deliveries. A great OTIF rate is now a loyalty driver, not just a KPI.
- Minimize stock shortages through smart inventory strategies
A unified stock view — even in food — can reduce waste, improve availability, and streamline order prep. Advanced replenishment tactics, like double-loop logistics, can cut shortage rates to under 2%.
- Maintain the cold chain during in-store preparation
Ensuring freshness requires more than refrigerated trucks. From picker training to appropriate in-store workflows and offline-capable tools, retailers must redesign cold processes at the point of preparation.
- Take action against food waste via UBD tracking
With up to 40% of food lost before consumption, expiry tracking becomes essential. Real-time systems enable dynamic stock reallocation, anti-waste baskets, and even personalized promotions based on shelf life.
Food Retail of Tomorrow Starts Now
Optimizing fresh product logistics is not about choosing between performance and sustainability. It’s about building intelligent, unified and customer-focused systems. With the right tools — like a powerful Order Management System (OMS) — retailers can turn operational complexity into a competitive advantage.
➡️ Download the full ebook to explore real-world strategies, expert insights, and technology use cases to future-proof your fresh product distribution.