leadership dot #1758: home sweet home

For reasons that I don't understand, I was invited to attend the Home Delivery World conference in Atlanta. This event -- which sounds like should be a new phenomenon -- is actually in its fifth year. Over 65 exhibitors participate, including:

1stdibs.com, AIT Worldwide Logistics, Amazon.com, Anheuser-Busch Inbev, Anthony's Goods, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Atlanta Electronic Commerce Forum, B&H Photo Video, Birchbox, Bob's Discount Furniture, Boxberry, Boxed, Brick Meets Click, Bristol Seafood, BuildDirect, Bush Industries, Business Builders, Carter’s, Cheetah Software Systems, Click n Collect Pty Ltd, Convey, Delivery Center, Descartes, Design Within Reach, DHL eCommerce, Dillard's, DispatchTrack, Dollar Shave Club, ENJOY, Farmbox Direct, FedEx, Fun.com, Genesco, Georgia Tech Supply Chain & Logistics Institute, Green Chef, Green Mountain Technology, Greenbriar Equity Group, GS1 Nederland, Gwynnie Bee, H.Y. Louie Co., Harry and David, Havertys Furniture, Hermes, Hilti, Holland & Knight, I.B.M., Imperfect Produce, Intelligent Audit, Interroll, Ipsy, J.W. Logistics, LaserShip, LE TOTE, LG Electronics, Lowes Foods, Luxer One, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, MXD Group, Naked Wines, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Neesvig's, Nespresso, Newgistics, Nuvizz, OnTrac, Oriflame Cosmetics, Original Unverpackt, Ortlieb Waterproof, Otter Products, Overstock.com, Peloton Cycle, PerfectPost, Pup Box, Purchasing Power, Raw Spice Bar, Restoration Hardware, RR Donnelley, Sealed Air Corporation, SEKO Logistics, SENE, Sonoco ThermoSafe, SSA Marine, Stamps.com, SupplyChainBrain, Tailored Brands, The Home Depot, The Kroger Co, The Neiman Marcus Group, Tiffany and Co, TrueNorth Companies, Unilever, UPS, Urban Outfitters, USPS, Verizon Wireless, Wakefern Food Corporation, Walmart, Worldpay, XPO Logistics, Yummy.com

It is quite the list!

What is said to me is that on-line is no longer enough; now on-line needs to be coupled with a repeat subscription service or regular home delivery option. As I can attest by the number of times the grocery delivery truck drives down my street, people are embracing the idea of having their orders brought right to their home.

"Conference streams" at this event include: the Final Mile, White Glove service & returns, technology & IT, supply chain, international and grocery. Is there a way for your organization to fit into this movement? Can you tailor your service to become a subscription model? Or perhaps you can offer a behind-the-scenes component for others in this business? Is there an aspect of your offering that can partner with others for home delivery (eg: cakes with kids games for parties-on-demand)?

As Dorothy said while she clicked her Ruby Slippers long ago: "There's no place like home." Try to find your sweet spot in this emerging market.