Microhubs Impact on Last-Mile Delivery: Improving Efficiency for E-Commerce Companies

Abstract

The rapid growth of e-commerce has increased the demand for efficient and sustainable last mile delivery solutions, particularly in urban environments. One potential solution is the use of microhubs—small, strategically located logistics nodes where goods are transferred from larger vehicles to smaller, emission-free alternatives such as cargo bikes or electric vans. This study was carried out as a bachelor thesis within the field of logistics and urban freight transport, with the aim of exploring the potential of microhubs in a Swedish context. The study investigates three key questions: (1) RQ1: What are the key advantages, challenges, opportunities, and threats of implementing microhubs for last-mile delivery? (2) How have microhubs been implemented in other countries, and what lessons can Swedish companies learn from these cases? (3) What factors should Swedish e-commerce companies consider when deciding whether to adopt microhubs for last-mile logistics? The research was based on a literature review, international case study analysis, and semi-structured interviews with two industry stakeholders. The result was presented in a three-stage SWOT-analysis, where the first SWOT was based on existing literature, the second was refined by case study analysis. After results from the interviews a final SWOT was made, including all three research methods. The results show that microhubs can reduce emissions, improve delivery efficiency, and relieve urban congestion. However, challenges such as limited urban space, and a lack of collaboration between logistics actors may hinder adoption. Municipal involvement and flexible hub design are identified as key enablers. The study is limited to a Swedish urban context and focuses primarily on perspectives from the private sector. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how microhubs can support more sustainable and effective urban logistics in Sweden.