STUDY OF OPTIMIZATION STRATEGIES FOR LAST-MILE DELIVERY OF CPG PRODUCTS TO NANOSTORES IN THE CITY CENTER OF COCHABAMBA

Authors

  • Santiago Lima Universidad Privada Boliviana
  • Agatha da Silva Universidad Privada Boliviana
  • Evelyn Ágreda Universidad Privada Boliviana
  • Adriana Pereira Universidad Privada Boliviana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23881/idupbo.025.1-7i

Keywords:

Last-mile distribution, traditional channel, public policies, routing model, bays

Abstract

Last-mile logistics represents a major cost and environmental challenge in dense urban centers, particularly in emerging economies. In Bolivia, where over 92% of retail transactions occur through informal nanostores, urban freight operations to supply these channels are hindered by narrow streets, congestion, and a lack of logistics infrastructure. In this direction, this study explores an optimization strategy for last-mile delivery of consumer-packaged goods (CPGs) to nanostores in downtown Cochabamba. We used a mixed-methods approach, including surveys of 243 stores, interviews with logistics managers, and route modeling with VRP (Vehicle Routing Problem) Spreadsheet Solver.  We considered a cluster-based logistics bay strategy, leveraging abandoned parking bays in the region for this purpose. Results show that the use of designated bays and the proposed route clustering can reduce delivery times by up to 11% and unit costs by 4,7%. These findings inform urban logistics planning and public policy for cities facing similar informal retail challenges.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Santiago Lima, Universidad Privada Boliviana
    Centro de Operaciones Logísticas (CeOL)
  • Agatha da Silva, Universidad Privada Boliviana
    Centro de Operaciones Logísticas (CeOL)
  • Evelyn Ágreda, Universidad Privada Boliviana
    Centro de Operaciones Logísticas (CeOL)
  • Adriana Pereira, Universidad Privada Boliviana
    Centro de Operaciones Logísticas (CeOL)

References

[1] United Nations, “Revision of World Urbanization Prospects,” 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.un.org/en/desa/2018-revision-world-urbanization-prospects

[2] R. W. Goodman, “Whatever You Call It, Just Don’t Think of Last-Mile Logistics,” Supply Chain Brain, 2005. [Online]. Available: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/601-whatever-you-call-it-just-dont-think-of-last-mile-logistics-last

[3] M. Witkowski and M. Kiba-Janiak, “The role of local governments in the development of city logistics,” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 39, pp. 201–213, 2012.

[4] J. C. Fransoo, E. Blanco, and C. Mejía-Argueta, Reaching 50 million nanostores: Retail distribution in emerging megacities, 2017, p. 421.

[5] C. Larue and A. Moguel, Cómo aumentar las ventas a través del canal tradicional en América Latina, 2016.

[6] Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), “Bolivia cuenta con más de 11 millones de habitantes a 2018,” INE Bolivia, Jul. 11, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.ine.gob.bo/index.php/bolivia-cuenta-con-mas-de-11-millones-de-habitantes-a-2018.

[7] Ciesmori, “Un mercado en expansión,” 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.calameo.com/read/0046420649d260a32612c

[8] D. Merchán, “Retail opportunity in the nanostore economy,” in Megacity Logistics Lab, 2015.

[9] X. Castañon Choque, The hidden impact of micro retailers’ survival rate on the logistics cost of consumer-packaged goods companies, 2018.

[10] D. Andrade, “¿Qué es el plan de Movilidad Sustentable?” Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://buenosaires.gob.ar/movilidad/que-es-el-plan-de-movilidad-sustentable

[11] S. A. Caballero, E. E. Blanco, and K. B. Valenzuela-Ocaña, “Optimización de entregas y nuevas tecnologías (TIC) aplicadas a la distribución urbana de mercancías,” 2018.

[12] J. C. Velázquez-Martínez, J. C. Fransoo, E. E. Blanco, and K. B. Valenzuela-Ocaña, “A new statistical method of assigning vehicles to delivery areas for CO₂ emissions reduction,” Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, vol. 43, pp. 133–144, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2015.12.009

[13] S. María, L. Castelo, J. Martín, and S. Valdez, “Urban Logistics: Generating Solutions to Create a Better Environment for Commercial Logistic Activities: A Case Study of the Historic Center of Quito,” 2016.

[14] M. A. Cuevas de la Fuente, Método de localización de bahías de carga y descarga: Aplicación al plan integral de movilidad de Santiago centro, 2016.

[15] H. T. Y. Yoshizaki et al., “The São Paulo off-hour delivery pilot: Impacts for city logistics,” in Supply Chain Management and Logistics in Latin America: A Multi-Country Perspective, Emerald Group Publishing Ltd., 2018, pp. 131–148, doi: 10.1108/978-1-78756-803-720181009

[16] D. Merchán and E. Blanco, “Desafíos para la movilidad de carga en zonas de alta congestión,” Economía Industrial, no. 400, pp. 13–19, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.mintur.gob.es/Publicaciones/Publicacionesperiodicas/EconomiaIndustrial/RevistaEconomiaIndustrial/400/MERCHAN%20%20y%20BLANCO.pdf

[17] D. E. Merchán, E. E. Blanco, and A. H. Bateman, “Urban metrics for urban logistics: Building an atlas for urban freight policy makers,” in CUPUM 2015 - 14th Int. Conf. on Computers in Urban Planning and Urban Management, 2015.

[18] W. Wisetjindawat, “Review of Good Practices in Urban Freight Transportation,” Transport and Communications Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific, no. 80, pp. 44–60, 2011. [Online]. Available: http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/bulletin80_Article-3.pdf

[19] E. Taniguchi, “Concepts of City Logistics for Sustainable and Liveable Cities,” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 151, pp. 310–317, Oct. 2014, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.10.029.

[20] R. Gevaers, E. Van de Voorde, and T. Vanelslander, “Cost Modelling and Simulation of Last-mile Characteristics in an Innovative B2C Supply Chain Environment with Implications on Urban Areas and Cities,” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 125, pp. 398–411, Mar. 2014, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.1483.

[21] T. G. Crainic and G. Laporte, “Planning models for freight transportation,” European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 97, no. 3, pp. 409–438, Mar. 1997, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-2217(96)00298-6.

Downloads

Published

2025-08-25

Issue

Section

Ingenierías

How to Cite

Lima, S., da Silva, A., Ágreda, E., & Pereira, A. (2025). STUDY OF OPTIMIZATION STRATEGIES FOR LAST-MILE DELIVERY OF CPG PRODUCTS TO NANOSTORES IN THE CITY CENTER OF COCHABAMBA. Revista Investigación & Desarrollo, 25(1), 77-95. https://doi.org/10.23881/idupbo.025.1-7i