Apple orders could potentially find their way into customers’ hands more rapidly, due to a shakeup in how Apple ships them out, Bloomberg reports.
According to the publication, Apple is beginning to use its retail store network as distribution centers for stock. Previously, it shipped out items from warehouses or even directly from China.
While this won’t mean faster shipping times for all customers, it could do if you live closer to one of Apple’s hundreds of retail stores.
The report, by journalist Mark Gurman, notes that:
“Apple told staff the shift will mean faster delivery times for customers who live further from distribution centers than from stores, according to the people who asked not to be identified discussing internal policies. The products will be shipped through United Parcel Service Inc. in Canada and FedEx Corp. in the U.S. via ground shipping and may be delivered as early as the day after a customer’s order, Apple told its staff. The program will apply to customers who live within 100 miles from a store, the people said.”
Improving Apple’s logistics chain
Apple supposedly began testing the program in the summer. Initially this was only with a small number of stores, around the time that they began to reopen after the COVID-19 closures. Since then, Apple has rolled it out to more stores. Along with faster shipping times, the move has other advantages. These include reduced cost, better margins, and less negative environmental impact.
Apple’s logistics mastery is one of the company’s most significant — but often underrated — attributes. Transforming this operations chain was Tim Cook’s contribution to Apple in the mid-90s. Getting product to customers is only one part of that, of course. But it’s a crucial one, especially as companies like Amazon continue to push customer expectations when it comes to how long deliveries should take.
Are you satisfied with Apple’s current speed of deliveries for online orders? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Bloomberg
