Last-mile delivery services are the critical yet often overlooked final step in the supply chain. As the direct touch point between the end user and retailer, the home delivery experience allows no room for error.
Arelis Bonilla, founder and CEO of Aria Logistics, spoke with FreightWaves’ Kaylee Nix to highlight the Last Mile Retail Awards, an event designed for retail brands that provide home delivery to consumers.
“Unlike other awards, the Last Mile Retail Awards combine operational excellence with customer experience, celebrating retailers and logistics companies that bring efficiency into their last-mile operations,” said Bonilla. “The LMRA is about connecting the best organizations in retail logistics, creating a community that can learn and grow together.”
For retailers that deliver products directly to the customer’s door, last-mile logistics is a vital opportunity for customer relations. As Bonilla says, the last-mile experience directly affects the customer, and executing the final step in the freight process requires excellence and attention to detail.
“There’s not another event of this kind for the retail industry,” Bonilla said. “It’s essential for us to recognize the leaders behind the scenes who make it all happen.”
As a leader on the provider side herself, Bonilla knows firsthand how demanding it is. “It’s a challenging industry that demands significant commitment and countless hours for any company to thrive,” she said.
The Last Mile Retail Awards encompass 20 distinct categories across various sectors: furniture, appliances, fitness equipment, department stores and retail stores. Additional awards recognize achievements in retail executive leadership, social impact and sustainability.
“For our Hall of Fame award, we’re thrilled to announce Steve Anderson, former executive vice president of operations for Williams Sonoma, as the first winner of the year,” Bonilla noted.
Retailers often work behind the scenes, leaving customers unaware of the complexities involved in delivering products to their doors. “They’re right there alongside us, collaborating on solutions, and we want to shine a light on their efforts,” Bonilla said.
“The Last Mile Retail Awards are about recognizing these individuals and raising awareness to uplift this industry,” Bonilla said. “We aim to highlight the gold standard, ensuring that organizations doing things right are seen and celebrated for their dedication.”
Bonilla hopes this awareness will foster innovation and higher standards, particularly in social impact and sustainability.
Sustainability has increasingly gained importance among logistics companies, and the Last Mile Retail Awards are committed to promoting these efforts throughout the industry.
“We’re highlighting logistics companies that have adopted eco-friendly delivery services with long-term sustainability in mind, as it significantly impacts our environment,” Bonilla explained. “Additionally, we want to honor retailers who prioritize eco-friendly delivery partnerships, promoting greener packaging, vehicles and more.”
For Bonilla, the Last Mile Retail Awards spotlight the essential elements needed for seamless last-mile delivery. “Our goal is to enhance this sector for everyone across the supply chain and attract the attention necessary to inspire greater innovation,” she said. “We’re setting out to be the Oscars of the logistics retail industry – the ultimate gold standard.”
According to Bonilla, the most rewarding part of this process is fostering a sense of community and finally recognizing the heroes of the freight industry.
The Last Mile Retail Awards are currently in the nomination stage, with numerous notable companies being put forward. Winners will be selected by a board of directors comprising executives from the last-mile delivery sector.
Once the finalists are announced, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite companies and leaders. Each nominee will receive a QR code to engage customers, friends, family and industry partners.
“We want to create a voting process that gives everyone a voice,” Bonilla said. “Your popularity reflects the excellent service you provide, and there’s no better way to demonstrate that you’ve satisfied your clients and partners.”