Meal delivery kits have dramatically increased in popularity in recent years. People love the convenience of getting the precise amount of ingredients they need to cook a meal delivered right to their doors, alongside a recipe that is designed to allow them to prepare a fast and tasty dinner. Although these conveniences are appealing to consumers, for the logistics industry, meal kit deliveries can bring special challenges. Distribution channels, same-day delivery services, and multiple suppliers all have to be in place for these kits to make it to customers on time and with fresh ingredients. Here is a look at some of the ways that the popularity of meal kit delivery services has impacted the logistics industry.
Distribution center location is critical component of success.
Meal kit orders have to be turned around quickly and efficiently. The ingredients have to be fresh when they reach the customers, and of course, the kits have to arrive at the correct date and time. To achieve this, the distribution centers have to be located centrally, so that suppliers can get products to the centers and so that the kits can make it out of the center for on-time delivery. Most meal kit delivery companies use distribution centers in strategic locations throughout the country to provide regional deliveries on the maximum one-week inventory ship time that meal kits require.
Back-up suppliers can prevent kit delivery failures.
When dealing with fresh ingredients, there are many variables that cannot be accounted for in advance, such as a weather system impacting the supply of certain ingredients. For this reason, back-up suppliers are an important part of the logistics picture for meal kit companies. Even companies that work exclusively with local food suppliers should have more than one option for all of their ingredients.
Same-day delivery service is also important for many meal kit delivery services. At Xcel Delivery Services, our experienced team gets shipments where they need to be on time, every time. Find out more about our same-day deliveries in Phoenix plus warehousing and distribution by dialing (602) 368-1300.
