[PL] The impact of micro-storage facilities on the future of urban logistics

Today’s city logistics is facing the challenges of the rapid growth of e-commerce and growing consumer expectations for fast and efficient deliveries. In response to these needs, innovative solutions such as microfulfillment centres (MFCs) are developing to revolutionise the way urban deliveries are managed and executed. How might their construction affect the future of urban logistics?

What are micro warehouses?

Micro warehouses, also known as micro logistics centres, are small storage facilities located close to urban centres. They are often located in commercial buildings or in so-called ‘dark store’ supermarkets with hybrid applications. They are characterised by a high degree of flexibility and automation of order picking processes, allowing goods to be prepared for dispatch quickly and efficiently.

Why are micro warehouses needed?

Micro warehouses are becoming an indispensable answer to today’s logistical challenges, which stem from increasing customer expectations and a changing urban landscape. In cities characterised by limited space, where every square metre is precious, locating warehouses as close as possible to customers becomes crucial. It is proximity to the destination that allows the time needed to deliver an order to the customer to be reduced to a minimum.

Reducing transport distances between the warehouse and the delivery location also has a significant impact on minimising logistics costs. Shorter routes not only reduce fuel consumption and emissions, but also reduce other operational costs associated with transport. In addition, micro warehouses allow for better use of available urban infrastructure and minimise problems related to traffic jams or congestion, which hinders fast deliveries.

The logistical efficiency of micro warehouses is not just about physical proximity to customers, but also the use of advanced automation and order management technologies. How the warehouse is arranged and divided up also matters. It is these innovations that allow orders to be picked quickly and accurately and warehouse processes to be optimised. As a result, micro warehouses can handle large order volumes in a short period of time, which is crucial in the context of the growing popularity of e-commerce and expectations for fast and flexible delivery.

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How will micro warehouses affect urban logistics?

Micro warehouses could revolutionise urban logistics on several levels.

Reducing delivery times – one of the key premises of micro warehouses is that they are located close to customers. This makes it possible to deliver orders quickly, even on the same day, which significantly increases customer satisfaction and improves their shopping experience. Today’s market demands ever faster and more flexible deliveries, which micro warehouses can do more efficiently than traditional distribution centres located on the outskirts of cities.
Optimised use of space – micro warehouses are characterised by their smaller size compared to traditional logistics centres. This allows them to be more easily placed in city centres, where space is most valuable and limited. This reduces the necessary long transport routes, which reduces both logistics costs and the negative impact of transport on the environment
Process automation – innovative technologies used in micro warehouses, such as warehouse robots, order management systems or IoT (Internet of Things) technologies, enable the automatic picking and dispatch of goods. The use of such solutions minimises human error, speeds up logistics processes and increases the overall operational efficiency of warehouses. As a result, micro warehouses can handle large order volumes in a short period of time, which is crucial in the context of the growing popularity of e-commerce and market demands.
Reduction of CO2 emissions – the shorter delivery routes made possible by the location of the micro warehouses in city centres contribute to a reduction in exhaust emissions and other negative environmental impacts of transport. This is an important step towards sustainability, as transport is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in cities.

Microgrids are not only the answer to today’s logistical challenges, but also shape the future of commerce and urban logistics. Their adaptation allows for more sustainable urban development, improved quality of life for residents and more flexible supply chain management in an era of digital transformation of trade.