Sustainable Logistics for Omni-Channel Retailing

Dear Colleagues,

We are calling for papers for a Special Issue of the journal Sustainability on research into Sustainable Logistics for Omni-Channel (OC) Retailing. Retail is experiencing a phase of substantial change. Today, using multiple channels according to an OC strategy, where there is no longer a distinction between traditional and online channels from the customer’s perspective, is the rule rather than the exception. The integration of business processes and the synergetic management of multiple channels represents a big challenge in the design and control of logistics systems. At the same time, the awareness of sustainable processes has been enhanced around the world, and the environmental and social impacts that result from the online order fulfilment process are becoming a key issue for logistics managers. On the sustainability side, the ‘last mile’ of e-fulfilment is well recognized as one of the costliest and most polluting parts of the supply chain. Logistics for online sales is also related to social issues such as compliance with legislations or labor conditions and safety of workers performing the fulfilment and distribution activities. A promising option is the introduction of new technologies related to the new paradigms of Logistics 4.0 and Physical Internet. Their implementation allows searching for economic efficiency but also has the potential to have a positive effect on pursuing environment and social objectives. In this context, the configuration and management of traditional logistics systems and supply chains should be deeply rethought. For instance, the role of logistics assets may change (e.g., the point of sales may become a logistics center); new types of vehicles for the last mile delivery are being developed; sharing logistics infrastructure and crowd logistics has become more attractive; inventory allocation policies may become dynamic; the availability of big data opens the process continuous improvement and the anticipatory management of logistics flows; a new model of collaboration with the other supply chain’s players (e.g., third-party logistics supplier) can emerge; and the application of the circular economy concept is increasingly urgent to reduce, for instance, the impact of packaging. Looking at the extant literature, research on OC retailing considering all sustainability dimensions and addressing the impact of new technologies and paradigms is still needed and promises to be a stimulating research topic. New studies can help to better understand how logistics for OC retailing is changing and how it can be modelled and optimized. We welcome contributions on how innovation and sustainability are integrated into the context of OC retailing, useful not only for academics but also for practitioners. Research methodologies include but are not limited to the following: case study, survey, analytical and simulation models.

Prof. Dr. Elena Tappia
Prof. Dr. Marco Melacini
Guest Editors

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• Omni-channel retailing
• Sustainable logistics
• Green logistics
• Logistics social responsibility
• Logistics 4.0
• Physical Internet
• Logistics outsourcing
• Sharing economy
• Circular economy