UK supply chains are primed for yet more disruption, with Royal Mail strikes set to go ahead in the days running up to Christmas. Yet, delivery of goods is an essential part of the customer experience, meaning shortages or long wait times can negatively impact a brand’s reputation. Businesses will therefore need to take action to mitigate any last-mile disruptions and avoid empty shelves and stockings during the festive period.

Businesses must ensure they have the capabilities to identify issues and find a solution quickly. For example, our research showed that companies using AI and real-time data to monitor last-mile deliveries during the pandemic reduced the volume of deliveries exposed to extreme error by 50%. Real-time, AI-enabled visibility and traceability – particularly in the last-mile delivery stage – will be vital for intelligent decision-making, enabling companies to address deviations from original transport plans to ensure good are delivered for Christmas.