According to data from the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), the logistics and transport sector currently accounts for 6.9% of Spain's GDP, with annual turnover of €101 billion and almost one million jobs. Our country's strategic location and well-developed infrastructure network explain the strong health of a sector that has experienced major growth in recent years thanks to the development of online commerce.
Current shopping habits are also introducing new challenges, especially in the process of delivering products to consumers, known as last-mile logistics. Customers demand speed, flexibility and good service, and their loyalty will depend on these aspects. We take a closer look at last-mile logistics and the challenges associated with managing it in the near future.
What is last-mile logistics and what are its main stages?
Last-mile logistics is the final process in the supply chain, responsible for moving products from logistics centres or warehouses to the end customer. It is therefore a decisive stage in satisfying consumers. Any delay or mistake during this period can lead to a loss of trust in the brand.
Within last-mile logistics, we can distinguish several main stages.
1. Stock control
The first element of last-mile logistics is collecting the product from the warehouse once the consumer places an order. It is essential to maintain an effective and up-to-date inventory record to prevent an unavailable item from being offered for sale at the logistics centre.
2. Route planning and fleet management
The large number of daily deliveries across different locations requires careful planning of optimal routes to save time and costs, monitoring variables related to traffic or potential incidents in delivery areas. It is also essential to have suitable means of transport for the areas in which the service is provided and to ensure they are in perfect condition.
3. Delivery tracking
Technology tools help optimise deliveries, making it possible to respond to unexpected events and offering customers transparency when tracking their shipments. Thanks to them, costs are reduced and the buyer experience improves.
4. Reverse logistics
Last-mile logistics also handles the management of products returned by customers. An agile and satisfactory collection process is essential for maintaining their trust.
What are the main challenges for last-mile logistics in 2025?
The evolution of ecommerce, growing competition, and consumer needs and expectations present last-mile logistics with several strategic challenges. A commitment to technological innovation and investment in employee wellbeing are key to successfully addressing them in 2025.
1. Reducing delivery costs
Last-mile logistics accounts for a large share of the costs of the entire logistics process. The need to fit multiple stops into urban areas, traffic congestion, long distances between delivery points in rural settings and failed deliveries reduce carrier productivity, increasing delivery times and costs per shipment.
Reducing expenses at this stage of the process is essential to increase efficiency and improve the performance of logistics companies. Implementing advanced technologies based on Big Data and artificial intelligence is key to optimising routes and reducing delivery times and costs. Furthermore, in 2025, the introduction of emerging solutions such as micro-fulfillment, or small warehouses located in high-demand areas, will help simplify workflows.
2. Adopting sustainable solutions
Law 7/2021 on climate change and the energy transition highlights Spain's commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, establishing an initial step involving the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere by 23% by 2030, using 1990 as the reference year. This requires all economic sectors to commit to implementing measures that help achieve these objectives.
The growth of online shopping is accompanied by a greater environmental impact. Personalised deliveries, inefficient routes and logistical difficulties lead to more vehicles on the streets, especially in urban areas, and increased fuel consumption. The transition to electric transport, the use of sustainable energy in warehouses and route optimisation with advanced technology are emerging as the most effective solutions for reducing the environmental impact of last-mile logistics.
3. Committing to nearshoring
Improving efficiency in last-mile logistics is linked to establishing operations centres close to where most customers live. Nearshoring specifically involves the relocation of production and distribution centres to strategic locations close to consumers' main delivery points. This significantly reduces transport costs while also decreasing environmental impact.
4. Establishing measures that promote worker wellbeing
According to the Labour market needs report prepared by The Adecco Group Institute, 20.3% of hard-to-fill jobs in Spain are in the logistics and transport sector. Tough working conditions and staff turnover pose a challenge for companies, which must implement solutions that help increase worker satisfaction.
A fundamental aspect of achieving this is providing professionals with suitable equipment that increases their comfort and protection. Essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for professionals responsible for delivering to customers must include quality professional footwear that provides comfort and safety during their long working days.
Addressing the challenges of last-mile logistics will enable you to take advantage of the many opportunities already emerging in the sector. Shoes For Crews footwear helps support worker wellbeing thanks to its comfort and its design that prevents slips, trips and falls. If you would like more information and to find out which shoes are best suited to your team, contact us.
