What is last-mile delivery?
October 30, 2026
Last-mile delivery is the final step of getting a parcel to the customer: the journey from the carrier's local depot to the customer's door, locker or pickup point. It is usually the most expensive and most visible part of delivery.
Why it matters for online retailers
The last mile is where customers judge your delivery. A late, missed or damaged parcel reflects on you, not the carrier, and shows up in reviews and marketplace ratings.
It is also where much of the delivery cost sits, because each driver makes many separate stops.
Common last-mile problems
- Failed deliveries when nobody is home.
- Wrong or incomplete addresses.
- Late deliveries at peak times.
- Customers not knowing when their parcel will arrive.
How retailers improve the last mile
- Offer delivery choices, such as lockers, pickup points and named-day delivery.
- Check addresses at checkout.
- Send tracking to the customer as soon as the parcel is despatched.
- Use more than one carrier, so each parcel goes with the service that suits it.
How StoreFeeder handles it
StoreFeeder connects to a range of carriers, including its own direct Royal Mail integration, prints labels from one place and sends tracking back to the sales channel when an order is despatched.
Read more about StoreFeeder courier management.
Frequently asked questions
Why is last-mile delivery so expensive?
Each parcel needs its own stop, often in traffic or rural areas, so the cost per parcel is much higher than moving bulk loads between depots.
What is the first mile?
The first mile is the start of the journey: getting the parcel from your warehouse to the carrier's network, by collection or drop-off.
How do I reduce failed deliveries?
Capture accurate addresses, offer lockers or pickup points, and send tracking so customers know when to expect the parcel.
