Today, Mike Robinson, the Head of Retail Solutions and a founding member of The Eighth Notch, joins the show to discuss how The Eighth Notch is streamlining last-mile delivery. In this episode, we explore The Eighth Notch’s unique approach to addressing delivery coordination challenges, particularly in the last mile of e-commerce deliveries. Mike shares insights into their innovative solutions that aim to improve sustainability and efficiency in the delivery process.
The Origin and Mission of The Eighth Notch
Mike provides an intriguing background story, describing himself as an “accidental retailer” and sharing how his career trajectory led him to become a founding member of The Eighth Notch. He recounts his experiences at major retailers like Gap and Macy’s, where he witnessed the exponential growth of e-commerce and the consequent logistical challenges. This experience sparked his desire to focus on improving rather than just expanding e-commerce operations. The name “The Eighth Notch” itself is a tribute to the founder’s father, a railroad engineer. The term signifies the highest power setting on a locomotive, symbolizing their commitment to peak performance in delivery logistics.
Tackling Delivery Coordination Issues
The Eighth Notch’s primary goal is to reduce the frequency and inefficiency of delivery trucks by better coordinating deliveries. Mike explains that the current state is unsustainable economically and environmentally and that it is“done in an unsynchronized, uncoordinated manner.” The Eighth Notch aims to optimize delivery schedules, ensuring multiple packages arrive simultaneously. Mike illustrates how the company created a three-way gain-share model where the carrier gets their share, the retailer gets an incentive for changing their behavior, and they get a component of the savings.
Enhancing Consumer Experience and Sustainability
A key aspect of The Eighth Notch’s strategy is consumer education and engagement. While the end consumer might not be directly aware of the behind-the-scenes coordination, The Eighth Notch is providing consumers with the benefit of fewer, more consolidated deliveries, which reduces carbon emissions and enhances convenience. The company is also looking into offering consumers choices at checkout, similar to Amazon’s sustainable delivery options. This shift towards consumer-enlisted sustainability aligns with growing environmental consciousness among shoppers.
Key Takeaways from The Eighth Notch
- Efficiency through Coordination: The Eighth Notch focuses on synchronizing deliveries to reduce frequency and enhance efficiency.
- Economic and Environmental Benefits: Their model saves costs and reduces carbon emissions, benefiting carriers, retailers, and the environment.
- Consumer Engagement: Offering sustainable delivery options at checkout can drive consumer engagement and loyalty.
Episode 509: The Eighth Notch is Streamlining Last-Mile Delivery
