Developing and Enhancing Out-Of-Home Delivery Systems to Address the Challenges of the Rapid Growth of E-commerce: Outlook and Strategies from French Local Authorities: The Case of Valence Romans Mobilités
摘要
This chapter analyses the growing impact of out-of-home (OOH) deliveries on last-mile logistics and area planning in France. Linked to specific infrastructures (parcel lockers, pick-up points, etc.) and adapted logistics systems, OOH deliveries have expanded alongside the rise of e-commerce, particularly since the Covid pandemic. Today, in France, half of all B2C deliveries are made through OOH channels, requiring a dense network of pick-up points to meet growing demand. The chapter draws on the example of the Valence-Romans urban area, where the local mobility authority, Valence-Romans Mobilités, launched a Master Plan for OOH deliveries in 2023. Local governments must navigate sometimes conflicting goals: supporting e-commerce growth, minimizing its negative impacts, and fostering local businesses. This plan serves as an effective tool to optimize OOH deliveries at the local level. Our present analysis tries to address a key issue: how to conciliate the boom of e-commerce with the need for sustainable urban logistics? What levers can the local authorities activate in the context of a rapid evolution of OOH delivery networks that depends on private initiative? The implementation of this plan may serve as inspiration for other territories facing similar challenges. The study begins with a review of national and European literature, followed by the presentation and analysis of case study data. Despite rapidly evolving market dynamics, the most effective approach for public stakeholders remains to closely monitor and adapt to these changes, considering the many variables specific to each territory.