This urban hub is typically located in densely populated areas, where residents' consumption habits are already well-understood. Its goal is to shorten the distance between products and customers, enabling same-day or next-day delivery. Other names for this model include microhub, mini-urban distribution center, micro-fulfillment center, or hyperlocal fulfillment center.
Despite being closed to shoppers, dark stores have a layout that resembles that of a traditional store, allowing pickers quicker access to products. This allows them to assemble an order as quickly as possible and ship it to the customer or have it ready for pickup.
The growth of dark stores
This model has been strengthened by the exponential growth of online shopping in recent years. Regarding these buyers, according to our statistics, more than two-thirds of buyers are willing to pay a higher shipping rate to have their order shipped as quickly as possible, preferably the same day.
In this scenario, we come up with dark stores . Because their layouts are very similar to those of a distribution center and they're closer to consumers with familiar habits, they allow for much faster deliveries than the traditional model, adding value to the consumer's shopping experience.
In addition to the growth of online shopping, we have the concept of omnichannel. Regardless of the channel palau telemarketing database where the purchase is made (online or offline), the customer experience should always be the same. With this in mind, dark stores are moving beyond just e-commerce and expanding to include in-store pickup orders or even opening their doors to in-person purchases.
This hybrid functionality is starting to be used by supermarket chains and is gaining traction among retailers of home goods, apparel, and other consumer goods.
Some advantages of this operating model
Besides the possibility of faster delivery, this operating model has other advantages. Physical stores with low liquidity or low profitability can be transformed into dark stores easily, with low implementation, operation, and maintenance costs, effectively serving the online and offline masses.
By being closer to the end consumer, transportation costs can be significantly reduced, thus reducing the environmental damage associated with carbon emissions. Furthermore, retailers' distribution networks are decentralizing distribution that was previously 100% centralized in distribution centers, increasing throughput capacity with shorter lead times and lower costs.
The implementation of a dark store
To implement a dark store, it's essential to understand your audience and their preferences. Through this analysis, you can determine the ideal mix for this store, always seeking a balance between product and depth. As a starting point, it's best to start with the best-selling and most sought-after products, then fine-tune the mix accordingly. Defining the store's modus operandi is just as important as defining the mix.
Using the know-how of distribution centers, it is essential that the receiving, storage, picking and shipping processes are very well defined and, if possible, supported with the use of inventory management software – WMS.