Fashion and homeware chain Store Twenty One has reduced its fleet size by 27% since implementing Paragon routeing and scheduling software in December 2011, which its says will lead to around £500,000 in annual cost savings.
The retailer says it has been able to remove three 18-tonne rigids from its fleet, as the software has driven efficiencies in its logistics operation through better planning of optimised peak and off-peak delivery schedules to its 220 stores from its Solihull DC.
Martin Packer, head of logistics and distribution at Store Twenty One, says: “The stores benefit from accurate delivery-time windows and the staff can continue with their in-store duties until the vehicles arrive to offload. Clearly, without Paragon we would not have been able to achieve this level of success.”
Store Twenty One uses Paragon to plan two types of schedule: one for peak deliveries that include the 12 weeks leading up to Christmas and the Easter bank holidays; the other for off-peak deliveries for the rest of the year. The company also uses the software for strategic planning of new store routes and deliveries.
Packer adds: “We began with inputting all the routes, deliveries and stores, with all the local restrictions for offloading, into the software. Then we involved our drivers and regional managers to analyse and agree or adjust the schedules. This approach is proving to be worthwhile and its value is demonstrated by the delivery consistencies and savings we are achieving.”
