In the world of last-mile delivery, we are currently witnessing major developments that are fundamentally transforming our industry. In this blog, we provide an update on the key market trends.
E-commerce giant Bol has announced a pilot project to take full control over its parcel delivery operations. This is a notable development, as it puts the company in direct competition with PostNL, its current key logistics partner. The deliveries will be managed through Bol’s subsidiary Ampère, operating out of distribution centers in Rotterdam and Utrecht—the exact cities where the pilot will launch. This strategic shift highlights how crucial it has become for e-commerce businesses to take control over their logistics chains. By managing the last-mile delivery themselves, Bol aims to boost customer satisfaction while exploring faster and potentially more sustainable delivery options.
The recent acquisition of Deliveroo by U.S.-based DoorDash for an estimated €3.4 billion shows that investors have tremendous confidence in the future of delivery services. It's a clear signal that the delivery market is maturing, and that economies of scale are becoming increasingly important. The acquisition also illustrates how food delivery and retail delivery are becoming more closely connected. Last-mile delivery is now an integral part of modern society.
Our sector is undergoing rapid professionalization. Whereas a few years ago delivery was seen as a necessary evil, it is now viewed as a strategic part of the value chain. Companies are increasingly willing to invest in advanced technologies such as route optimization, real-time tracking, and electric fleets (including cars, scooters, LEVs, and bicycles) to enhance both efficiency and sustainability.
These developments in the delivery market offer significant opportunities for Bikeshift in both B2B and B2C logistics. After all, electric fleets still require skilled personnel—and that happens to be Bikeshift’s core expertise. In addition to providing qualified staff, sustainable delivery solutions are central to these market shifts. The use of electric vehicles and bike couriers, especially in urban areas, leads to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions. Bikeshift is the go-to expert in workforce management for last-mile delivery. With over 10 years of experience and active in more than 100 cities across the Netherlands and Belgium, Bikeshift supplies bike couriers, LEV drivers, and order pickers to leading clients such as PostNL, Thuisbezorgd, and Coolblue. These market developments confirm the strength of our vision and approach.
The professionalization of the market is expected to continue. Companies that can innovate and successfully integrate sustainability into their delivery strategies will thrive in this new landscape. Bikeshift aims to lead the way with our sustainable last-mile solutions and support our partners in excelling within this rapidly evolving sector.
