IDA, SPRING Singapore and CapitaLand Mall Trust collaborate to boost last mile delivery to retailers
More than 300 retailers to potentially benefit from trial
Singapore, 15 March 2016 – The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), SPRING Singapore and CapitaLand Mall Trust (CMT) Management Limited signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to launch an In-Mall Distribution (IMD) trial at Tampines Mall and Bedok Mall, which could benefit an estimated 300 retailers. If successful, the model may be further rolled out to other shopping malls owned or managed by the CapitaLand Group in Singapore to benefit other retailers in its network. Witnessed by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, this initiative is the first deployment under the nationwide Urban Logistics programme spearheaded by IDA and SPRING Singapore.
As Singapore gears up to be a Smart Nation, technology will be an important boost to the competitiveness of the logistics sector. The Urban Logistics programme thus aims to transform the efficiency of the logistics sector through tech. First mooted in the Infocomm Media 2025, this project was followed by a funding announcement of $20 million from IDA and SPRING Singapore to implement urban logistics in the retail sector. Deployed nationwide, this move could translate into an estimated reduction of trucks on the road by 25 per cent and cut waiting and
Meeting the challenges in the logistics sector
Currently, logistics resources are not well-optimised in the retail sector. Goods are delivered in an unconsolidated and uncoordinated manner causing inefficient utilisation of delivery trucks, traffic congestion at loading bays of malls which
Firstly, the trial will pilot a dock scheduler and queue management system which enables Logistic Service Providers (LSPs) and tenants with their own delivery fleet to book specific delivery timings at the mall. This can reduce traffic congestion and trucks queuing outside the malls by ensuring that delivery timings do not clash.
An innovative ‘change of custody’ system will also be introduced to improve efficiency during the handing and taking over
Secondly, the IMD includes the creation of In-Mall Logistics Operators (IMO). Services of the operator include being stationed within the mall to receive and consolidate deliveries from suppliers before making the distribution to retailers. The IMOs can also perform additional roles such as providing value-added services like unloading bay facility management, security pass issuance and concierge services such as luggage deposit, meal delivery for F&B establishments, and goods transfers for retailers. This can encourage new opportunities
Benefits of In-Mall Distribution
Benefits of the IMD are multi-fold. Retailers can look forward to reduced operating costs by outsourcing jobs, such as stock transfer between outlets, goods return and on-shelf placement, to IMOs. As for mall management, they are able to reduce traffic congestion at their premises, which allows for better consumer movement and lower carbon emission. Lastly, the LSPs stand to benefit from such streamlined delivery operations, without the need to queue to get into the unloading bay. From 4 deliveries LSPs conduct in a day due to truck congestion, they can conduct as many as an estimated 6-8 deliveries within a day.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information said, “The In-mall Distribution concept is a key initiative developed under the Infocomm Media 2025 Plan. As a highly urbanised city-state, Singapore is well aware that demand on its infrastructure will only increase. Using
Mr Steve Leonard, Executive Deputy Chairman, IDA said, “Achieving the Smart Nation vision of Singapore will only be possible if government and industry work closely together, adopting new ideas and embracing new technologies. We know that the complexities and logistics of moving large amounts of goods in
It is imperative that the government and the industry not only work
Mrs Kee Ai Nah, Group Director (Industry & Enterprise Development), SPRING Singapore said, “SPRING is pleased to work with industry partners and other agencies to drive process improvements and bring about greater benefits to the mall operators, retailers and logistics providers. We look forward to working with more players in the retail and logistics sectors to encourage uptake of this In-Mall Distribution initiative. We plan to also look at expanding other Urban Logistics solutions to meet retailers’ emerging needs.”
Ms Teresa Teow, Head of Retail Management, Singapore, CapitaLand Mall Asia Limited, the manager of CMT malls, said, “As the owner and manager of Singapore’s largest shopping mall network, we are constantly looking at ways to innovate and further improve our operations and shopping experience by leveraging technology and strategic partners. In line with the national productivity drive, we have been an early adopter of innovative solutions that help our tenants increase productivity. Last year, IMM Building was the first in Singapore to offer an onsite centralised dishwashing service, enabling F&B tenants in the mall and vicinity to improve their productivity by redeploying dishwashers and freeing up dishwashing area. We are pleased that our two operational malls in the eastern part of Singapore – Tampines Mall and Bedok Mall – are now part of the In-Mall Distribution Pilot aimed at enhancing the logistics sector’s productivity, which also benefits our malls and retailers. This trial will provide useful insights into how the different parties can calibrate this innovative solution for wider implementation.”
Next steps
In addition to IMD, nationwide Offsite flow through Consolidation Centres (OCC) are also being explored as part of the Urban Logistics Programme to enhance the processes of the logistics sector. This aims to optimise truck efficiencies, by enabling trucks with less-than-full loads to consolidate and sort their goods in an OCC before delivering to malls. These goods can then be re-loaded and then delivered to their intended destinations on a single truck within the same day. This reduces the number of trucks going to the same destination and improves truck load utilisation. A concept first mooted in the Infocomm Media 2025, IDA will work with retailers to understand their delivery demands, leading to call-for-proposals for LSPs to propose their service offering to manage such OCC operations.