Simulation of last mile capability for large supermarket chain

last mile distribution
Increase in delivery capacity through simulation experiments
10%
increase in orders served through loading dock adjustments
10%
increase in orders served through addition of new vehicles
4%
increase in orders served through adjustments to delivery time slots
7%

Challenge

The chain has 1,000+ supermarkets, with inner city stores experiencing more than double the orders of those in rural areas. To prevent an increase in unrouted orders (where customers are placed on waiting list due to insufficient order slots), the chain wanted to identify blockers that could prevent the success of these inner city stores.

Solution

Using a bespoke optimisation algorithm, Satalia examined the chain’s loading docks, fleet size, and order timeslots and tested their ability to scale with increased orders. Running a variety of scenarios, the simulations identified the most efficient setup that would both meet the chain’s current demands and future-proof their success.