Last-mile logistics: challenges and solutions for ecommerce success

Effectively addressing last-mile challenges is critical for any logistics operator. The key challenges include:

●      High operating costs. Last-mile services involve significant expenses related to fuel, labor, fleet maintenance, and failed deliveries, which can negatively impact ecommerce profitability.

●      Traffic management and urban congestion. In large cities, high traffic density complicates route planning, leading to delays or delivery issues. In addition, access regulations in city centers, such as low- or zero-emission zones, require efficient urban mobility management.

●      Sustainability and environmental regulations. Pressure to reduce environmental impact and comply with green regulations is constantly increasing. To meet these requirements, logistics companies must transform their fleets and adopt technologies that promote sustainability.

●      Customer expectations. Today’s consumers demand fast deliveries (even same-day), flexible options (custom delivery time slots), competitive pricing, and real-time shipment tracking.

●      Reverse logistics. Efficient returns management is essential to maintaining a positive customer experience; however, it involves complex processes and high costs. The growing volume of returns increases travel distances, forcing companies to implement more flexible and efficient systems.

At NACEX by Logista, we support companies with advanced solutions and strong sector expertise. Our extensive franchise network ensures rapid market access, particularly in Spain and Portugal.

Technology and automation

Technological innovation is the foundation of last-mile optimization. NACEX by Logista integrates advanced digital solutions, including:

●      Delivery Management Systems (DMS). We manage the entire operation from the warehouse to final delivery.

●      Route optimization software, AI, and predictive analytics. We use AI-powered machine learning models and predictive analytics to calculate the most efficient routes, reducing delivery times and operating costs. In addition, we forecast demand and optimize inventory and fleet management, delivering a more agile and precise logistics service tailored to each ecommerce business.

●      Real-time tracking. Our tools provide both customers and businesses with full visibility of shipment status at all times.

Flexible delivery models and pickup points

Flexibility is key to reducing failed deliveries and improving the customer experience. To achieve this, NACEX by Logista relies on: 

●      Convenience points and smart lockers. We offer an out-of-home pickup and return solution that is more convenient, versatile, and sustainable. This includes more than 4,000 NACEX.shop convenience points, concentrated in metropolitan areas across Spain and Portugal. In 2025, this model proved to be an effective solution for reducing failed deliveries and optimizing costs, achieving a 91.27% growth as the preferred delivery method and doubling total shipment volume.

●      Urban micro-hubs. We facilitate fast sorting and distribution through intermediate logistics facilities. In addition, NACEX by Logista strengthens its platforms—such as the Porto hub—with advanced technology (Körber), ensuring scalability and efficiency even during periods of significant order volume growth.

Sustainable fleets and emissions reduction

Our Transparency and Social Responsibility Policy promotes the integration of sustainable fleets, such as electric vehicles and bicycles, along with route optimization to reduce emissions. Through these initiatives, Logista reinforces its commitment to the 2030 Agenda and excellence in sustainable logistics, avoiding more than 258 tons of CO₂ emissions in 2025 through NACEX by Logista.

Strategic partnerships and outsourcing

We offer our clients the most comprehensive value chain in the market, ensuring security, operational efficiency, and high-quality service.

Last-mile logistics as a competitive advantage

The challenge of last-mile logistics lies in companies’ ability to manage complex operations, control costs, and respond to growing consumer demands for flexibility without compromising service quality. Far from being merely an operational challenge, this final stage of the logistics process has become a strategic opportunity for differentiation and growth in ecommerce.

Optimizing the last mile is essential to improve efficiency, reduce incidents, and increase end-customer satisfaction. For this reason, partnering with a logistics provider capable of consistently combining technological innovation, territorial coverage and operational rigor is crucial.

In this context, Logista plays a strategic role through high-value integrated solutions such as AI-driven route optimization, proactive shipment traceability, and the NACEX.shop network, which effectively responds to the growing demand for convenience and sustainability.

Through this approach, Logista does more than distribute products—it actively manages the last mile with the transparency, control, and precision required by a highly complex logistics environment, turning it into a true competitive advantage for ecommerce.