A LOCATION ANALYSIS OF PICK-UP POINTS NETWORKS IN ANTWERP, BELGIUM

The last mile of e-commerce deliveries is increasingly receiving attention from practitioners, researchers and public authorities. Pick-up points are one of the main alternatives to tackle last-mile issues within e-commerce deliveries. Nevertheless, a lack of strategic planning and understanding of the spatial interactions between pick-up points and the customers can be limiting their potential. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the current state of the pick-up point networks in the Belgian city of Antwerp and from there and inspired on the concepts of urban logistics construct indicators to assess such networks in other places in the world. The collection of data for this paper came via a sample survey from the main carriers currently performing home deliveries in the city. By using the current demand for e-commerce, we analysed the main performance indicators of the networks based on the principles of urban logistics. Firstly, we calculated the "catchment" area of each pick-up point by measuring the number of customers that fall within a 5-minute walking range. Secondly, we analysed the type of establishment where the point is located. Thirdly, we checked to which extent the points are clustered via a Clark an Evans test. Finally, we assessed the availability of the points in terms of opening hours and closing days. The analysis showed that the networks under analysis still not fully address the expectations of sustainability. The results showed that the availability and accessibility of those networks do not encourage the use of non-motorized vehicles or the chaining of pick-up trips with other activities. The results suggest that a more strategic planning is needed to harmonise the objectives of the private stakeholders with the public ones. In this paper, a novel analysis of pick-up points networks is proposed. In the literature similar analysis can be found in other countries. However, in this analysis, not only traditional indicators as the distance and the type of shop are assessed. Because in the literature review we found that the consumer trip behaviour is affected by the availability and the potential to combine the trip with other shopping activities, we include indicators as the specific type of shop that is in charge of providing the services, the opening and closing hours, as well as spatial indicators. This analysis can help to contribute to a better and more suitable planning of pick-up point networks. In the analysis, we show how the selected location of the network can impact the sustainable use of the points and how to aim for a better configuration.