At a time when consumers look for instant gratification, it is no surprise that last-mile deliveries are gaining huge attraction. Online shopping was already a hit before the pandemic and further accelerated when people were restricted indoors. As global shopping volumes rise, eCommerce brands clamber to outperform each other with upper-level customer experience.

For the uninitiated, dark stores are micro-warehouses located in close accessibility to high-demand areas. Dark stores aid last-mile deliveries of groceries, and personal care products. Their advantage is slowly spreading across other categories as brands turn to third-party logistics and warehousing providers to optimize operations for speedy delivery. Let’s analyze how dark stores can address key challenges about last-mile deliveries.

Reduces logistics costs

 Dark stores are related to brick-and-mortar retail stores but aren’t designed to accommodate customers inside the store. Dark stores are centers exclusively committed to fulfillment operations. They are located in strategic urban areas near customers which significantly lowers the pick per unit and last-mile costs. As dark stores only have goods meant to fulfill internet orders, it operates with better efficiencies and can help save between 10 and 30 percent of logistics costs.

Stores an extensive range of products 

The layout of dark stores is such that it moderates better storage and picking capabilities. Businesses don’t have to pay out on the aesthetics or interiors of dark stores as they aren’t built for in-store shopping. With a dark store that houses a focused set of high-demand products, there is a greater opportunity for businesses to store more product varieties as opposed to traditional retail stores. 

Facilitates easy storage and delivery of perishable goods 

Perishable products like groceries, milk, and meat are required to reach the customer's doorstep within their relevant expiry windows. Dark stores help to comfort the freshness of perishable products and allow quicker delivery owing to their proximity to delivery points. 

Facilitates round-the-clock operations 

Dark stores work round the clock to fulfill customer demands. Due to the strategic location of dark stores, orders can be delivered at the time most suitable for customers. Customers have the freedom to pick a time slot as dark stores are optimized for easy pickup and delivery.

 Fulfills on-demand delivery needs 

Dark stores are highly successful to cater on-demand delivery requirements. Customer expectations are always evolving and the order and purchase process is quite different from what it used to be a few years ago. A consumer who trips upon a product when casually browsing online makes an instinctive decision to buy it and expects delivery within a matter of a few minutes or hours. Such on-demand delivery requirements are possible with dark stores as they facilitate advanced SKU management and better last-mile connectivity. 

Winding Up

Dark stores act as last-mile storage spaces that facilitate the well-organized movement of goods across urban areas with cost optimization and efficiency benefits. With greater product assortment, super-efficient order fulfillment, and a better view of stock levels and inventory management aided by technology, dark stores unquestionably unlock the path towards fast, dependable, and precise product delivery.

13sqft offers a wide range of Dark Stores for sale, for rent, and lease. Compare price quotes from multiple vendors & service providers from Mumbai, Gurgaon, Delhi, Noida, Pune, Chandigarh, Thane, Bangalore & all other major Logistics hubs in India.