Last Mile

The last mile is a term for the final leg in logistics, from the distribution center to the final delivery destination. It originally meant "the last line from the telephone exchange to the home" in the telecommunications industry, but it is now widely used in the context of logistics. About 50% of total delivery costs are said to be concentrated in this leg, and improving its efficiency is the biggest challenge.

QR codes are contributing to a more efficient last mile. When the delivery person scans the QR code on a package, the delivery status is updated in real time. For drop-off delivery, a QR code and a photo of the delivery location are recorded when the delivery is completed, and the recipient is notified. Services that use QR codes to unlock delivery boxes have also appeared.

The challenge of the last mile is that delivery destinations are scattered. Delivering 100 packages from a distribution center to 100 locations requires efficient route planning. The problem of redelivery is also serious, and in Japan about 12% of home delivery parcels end up being redelivered. Alternatives such as drop-off delivery, parcel lockers, and convenience store pickup are becoming widespread.