1. This paper explores the needs of local retailers regarding last-mile delivery services and identifies sustainable value propositions (VP) that can be offered to them.
2. A survey was conducted with retailers in the limited traffic zone of Torino, Italy, and a factor analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) was used to extract factors from the data.
3. The results show that retailers accept higher costs for more reliable deliveries and stock reduction, as well as punctuality and flexibility for better inventory management, higher control, and improved customer service level.
The article is generally trustworthy and reliable in its approach to exploring the needs of local retailers regarding last-mile delivery services and identifying sustainable value propositions (VP). The authors have provided a comprehensive overview of current literature on this topic, which serves as a strong foundation for their research. Furthermore, they have employed a quantitative empirical approach through a survey submitted to retailers in the limited traffic zone of Torino, Italy, followed by a factor analysis using principal component analysis (PCA). This provides an objective basis for their findings.
However, there are some potential biases that should be noted. Firstly, the sample size of the survey is relatively small compared to other studies on this topic; thus it may not be representative of all local retailers’ needs regarding last-mile delivery services. Secondly, the study focuses solely on one city in Italy; therefore it may not be applicable to other cities or countries with different contexts or regulations. Additionally, there is no discussion about possible risks associated with implementing these value propositions; thus further research should explore this aspect in more detail.
In conclusion, while this article provides valuable insights into local retailers’ needs regarding last-mile delivery services and sustainable value propositions (VP), further research should be conducted to address potential biases and explore possible risks associated with implementing these VP.