Redistribution challenges, absence of retailers to put your brand on the ground and generating a solid online presence backed with revenue growth without compromising on profitability have resulted in few success stories of the D2C model. Nevertheless, the unprecedented corona crisis has led to a new wave of enthusiasm and optimism for the current and upcoming D2C facilitators.
Upamanyu Borah
By 2025, India’s Direct-to-consumer (D2C) segment is going to become a whopping US$100 billion market, as per a report by Avendus Capital.
Buoyed by this growth, D2C brands will be driving the next big wave in the ecommerce industry in India, which will be supported by technological advancements and growth in online spending at a CAGR of 35 per cent.
The e-commerce industry is buzzing with change in the post-COVID-19 world, largely due to the game-changing behaviour of new-age consumers who have got more disposable income to spare. But all of this arose out of the new world order that the multiple lockdowns brought upon all of us.
Today, speed is the primary contributing factor to customer satisfaction with delivery, as customers are willing to pay extra for faster delivery. This is in addition to factors like contactless doorstep delivery, choice of payment options, and ease of exchange/return. Fulfilling these criteria with a captive logistics arm entails a major CapEx investment that could hinder growth and expansion for online retail.
D2C brands are moving closer to the consumer, partnering with 3PL warehousing and delivery partners leading to a better delivery experience.
Shiprocket, India’s leading tech-enabled D2C aggregator in its report, which compiled various trends observed by the brand from January to December 2020 including the year-on-year growth of D2C merchants, shipment volumes, etc. identified a 214 per cent increase in D2C sellers on its platform and a 107 per cent upsurge in the volume of shipments vis-à-vis last year. With multiple drivers of growth in various segments, Shiprocket also noted a 188 per cent surge in online sellers during Q3 of 2020, when compared to Q2 as a majority of people, began shifting from offline to online shopping, owing to the pandemic facilitating soaring usage of the Internet.
Based on the merchant mapping conducted by Shiprocket, with a sample size of over 85,000 sellers, 48 per cent of shippers opted for Cash on Delivery and Express Delivery for their orders during the year.
True to its commitment of helping MSMEs across the country, the fulfilment platform noted that around 51 per cent of the sellers on its platform were from tier-II and tier-III cities and nearly 49 per cent from tier I cities, striking an impressive balance between the metro and non-metro cities in the country.
Shiprocket’s report also observed that online stores such as Shopify, Magento, Woocommerce, etc. contributed to over 32 per cent of the total traction while social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram contributed to almost 35 per cent. Moreover, there was considerable traction from offline sellers, who contributed to over 19 per cent, and marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon, Etsy, etc. that comprised over 12 per cent of the total traction.
D2C has been one of the fastest-growing sectors for Shiprocket. “The past year has been phenomenal in terms of the D2C sellers’ on-boarded onto Shiprocket. There was a 200 per cent increase in the number of D2C sellers’ year-on-year with a majority of the D2C orders coming in through social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram,” Saahil Goel, Co-Founder and CEO at Shiprocket mentioned in a recent interaction with us.
“Besides, with several sellers also beginning to avail the services of third-party platforms, as the lockdowns made it nearly impossible for them to move goods from one place to another, inventory distribution has been one of the most exciting innovations in the industry. Shiprocket fulfilment has been dedicated to ensuring timely, frictionless deliveries with a platform to automate Non-Delivery Reasons (NDR) and this has decreased RTO up to 50 per cent.”
“Industry players also adopted automation in supply chain operations which offers huge scope and will facilitate operational efficiency to a large extent. Overall, the untapped market largely lies in bolstering automation in the supply chain and warehouses. The 3PL space offers much scope for growth and development for players who innovate, analyse consumer behaviour, and alter their approaches, and harness technology,” he noted further.
While some D2C brands preferred self-shipping of their products, a majority of them were dependent on advanced logistics partners to send their orders to customers.
Things were not looking up for these sellers because a lot of issues arose with traditional logistics partners. Therefore, they started looking for an ideal shipping partner who would give them a smooth logistics experience and cut down on expenses.
Founded in 2015, end-to-end global trade and logistics management startup Shipsy’s state-of-the-art platform leverages AI, big data, and cloud capabilities to help customers reduce logistics costs, achieve transparency, and ensure timely delivery of goods across different transportation modes. The company presently offers freight procurement, transportation management, logistics management solutions via intelligent modules and centralised dashboard configurations.
“In a world that's getting increasingly virtualised, logistics is one of those actual physical touchpoints that's bridging the gap between businesses and customers. Above that, with skyrocketing demands for home/online deliveries of both essential and non-essential goods post-COVID, the supply chain and logistics industry have rapidly transformed into a key business enabler and a revenue generator,” stated Soham Chokshi, Co-founder and CEO, Shipsy Logistics.
“For many young logistics management companies, their mission to expedite the digital transformation goal is gaining rapid momentum resulting in endless possibilities to drive innovation. In other words, the SaaS-based logistics management ecosystem will witness exponential growth in the coming years. It will indeed prove to be a viable investment option for investors across the globe.”
At Shipsy, the success and innovation ratio is just improving. “Most of our plans revolve around resolving current and future business challenges for our customers. To empower businesses to build future-ready logistics operations, we have worked round the clock to enhance our capabilities. For instance, our smart Auto Allocation system now delivers a 94 per cent success rate. We have made our Hub operations tool completely mobile. We enhanced our AI engine to optimise delivery routes literally in real-time. This has helped our customers reduce the distance travelled by 5 per cent and increase average trips by 6 per cent.”
“Our latest deployment of gamification tools is assisting businesses to boost delivery productivity and driver performance.”
Chokshi added, “Completely automating logistics partner selection based on multiple factors, rate negotiations, and deploying Blockchain technology to make financial transactions safer and traceable are other areas we are focussing on.”
“Making deliveries eco-friendly, helping businesses manages unprecedented demand-supply gaps, and empowering brands to use ‘customer experience’ as a well-defined revenue stream, pose great opportunities for us. We also foresee tremendous potential in the D2C segment,” he further added.
The Inside Edge
With as much homogeneity in product and UI/UX across online retail platforms, there are few things that act as differentiators for the customer. Delivery experience leads the pack and it is something which has evolved—right from the brand or platform communicating at regular intervals about the order being shipped, to providing the customer visibility as the shipment moves through the delivery network making its way to the customer.
The super-digitalisation generated by the COVID-19 crisis will affect many who don’t accelerate their efforts in D2C, Online-to-Offline or other channel transformation solutions in the face of new consumer habits. The data by Scalefast on Consumer Behavior below is a testimony to the fact that the D2C model is only going to expand in the near future.
Now, the question is what actually lies ahead?
The new generations will play a fundamental role in the growth of D2C. Gen Z and Gen Y are more environmentally aware than ever, and are looking to commit to brands that are not only greener and more sustainable, but also demonstrably socially aware (and contributing, of course).
Brands that position themselves with transparency throughout their business strategy (production, supply chain, supplier relations, etc.) will in the long term capitalise on trust and credibility with much greater probability. D2C allows companies to have total control over these factors, and at the same time a greater capacity to prolong this positioning without friction throughout its journey.
So, brands take note, the D2C model is here to stay!
And as Kunal Bahl, CEO & Co-founder of Snapdeal had once rightly said, “Pretty much every brand that I've seen succeed in an enduring manner in the D2C space had a very strong instinct around an unmet customer need or a friction point for consumers.”
And importantly, it’s not just the speed of delivery that brands are looking at for growth. They are transforming in three ways: trend-spotting and developing products faster, getting their products to the consumer faster, and marketing through pay-per-click instead of advertising alone.
Singapore Changi Airport experienced a significant boost in air cargo volumes for the second quarter of 2024, handling 485,000 tonnes of airfreight from April to June. This represents a 16% increase compared to the same period last year. The growth is attributed to robust shipment flows between Singapore and major markets including the US and China. Changi Airport Group highlighted that the increase was seen across all cargo categories—exports, imports, and transhipments. The airport’s top five air cargo markets for the period were Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, and the United States. In the year-to-date, Changi Airport has processed a total of 960,000 tonnes of airfreight. The first quarter of 2024 also saw strong performance, with 475,000 tonnes handled, driven by high transhipment activity, particularly with China. Key sectors contributing to the cargo throughput include pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, and advanced materials like semiconductors. Notable airlines operating cargo flights at Changi include Spice Express, Tasman Cargo Airlines, Atlas Air, DHL Express, and Singapore Airlines, which collaborate on cargo operations. As of July 1, Changi Airport boasts 94 airlines operating over 6,900 weekly scheduled flights, linking Singapore to 158 cities across 50 countries and territories globally. This extensive network supports Changi’s role as a major international cargo hub. The airport’s continued growth in air cargo volumes underscores its importance as a critical logistics and transportation hub in the global supply chain.
AP Moller – Maersk is strengthening its operations in Bangladesh, where it has been serving the country and its exporters connect to the global market for almost three decades. Bangladesh has been one of the most important sourcing markets for the garments and apparel industry worldwide. The garment manufacturers exporting to global markets have significantly contributed towards building the country’s economy. Despite the impressive growth of garments exports from Bangladesh, the number of warehouses in Chattogram have not increased since 2012, with the sole exception of ISATL that became operational in 2018. Optimising utilisation of available capacity assisted to an extent, however it did not scale enough to meet the trade’s requirements. The logistics ecosystem and the Chittagong Port get stretched, particularly during the peak seasons. In 2021, a fallout of this structural challenge was felt by all the stakeholders involved in EXIM trade when the Container Freight Stations (CFSs) got clogged with cargo resulting in delayed clearance, stuffing and consequently dispatch of containers to the port. Delay in offloading cargo also led to longer truck waiting time, and delay in dispatch of containers to the port, consequently resulting in lack of overall productivity. These challenges have serious consequences on the overall economy of the country given the fact that the Chittagong Port handles in excess of 90 per cent of the total containerised trade to and from Bangladesh. Recognising these challenges, Maersk Bangladesh has partnered with Ispahani Summit Alliance Terminal Limited (ISATL) to build a 200,000 sq ft custom bonded warehouse. ISATL are pioneers in constructing and operating warehouses and CFS and operate four CFS within Chattogram and the River Terminal at Dhaka. Under the scope of this partnership, ISATL will construct a brand new custom bonded warehouse within the existing premises of the facility located at Pathortoli in Chattogram. The new warehouse will double the existing capacity at ISATL and add around 8 per cent additional space to the existing ecosystem at Chattogram. The construction of the new CFS has already commenced and is expected to be completed in a phased manner by the end of 2022. Bangladesh’s exporters and their overseas buyers will be able to start using the facility from July 2022, once the first phase of construction is completed. “Maersk’s commitment to connect and simplify our customers’ supply chains means that we look at long term solutions for problems such as the longstanding congestion within the ecosystem. We tackled the situation in 2021 by deploying an additional vessel for evacuating export loaded containers,” said Angshuman Mustafi, Managing Director, Maersk Bangladesh. “The solutions provided immediate relief to the ecosystem, but there was a need for a comprehensive solution to optimise ocean shipping, port handling and inland logistics that would benefit trade in the long term. By partnering with ISALT, we are establishing a facility that has the potential to partially decongest the system from the landside and streamline the flow of cargo in and out of Bangladesh.” Apart from adding capacity, the facility will offer several other benefits to Bangladesh’s exports. Amongst others, the new facility is being built by benchmarking international best practices when it comes to safety and other compliance guidelines. It will be modern multi-storeyed facility in Chattogram which will have storage at G+2 levels, thus making optimal use of available space to maximise the capacity. There will be an option to offer pallets for all operations, thereby improving the overall operational efficiency. Maersk will also offer customers Garment on Hanger facility, sorting, product audit, labelling, bar code and RFID scanning amongst others. “We are proud to partner with Maersk on this exciting long term project where ISATL’s extensive local experience combined with Maersk’s international best practices will allow us to create a truly world-class facility that will help raise the standards for the entire industry,” said Yasser Rizvi, Managing Director, ISATL.
Indian importers and exporters are grappling with significant cargo delays at Mundra Port, the country’s leading container trade hub. Local trade sources have voiced serious concerns about the worsening congestion at Mundra’s container terminals in recent weeks. "The terminals at Mundra now seem to be hugely congested, and the pendency has increased to levels affecting the normal movement of boxes between CFSs and terminals," stated the Container Freight Station Association Mundra in a complaint. The association added, "All the efforts put in by CFSs are not witnessing any improvement, but are rather finding that the situation is deteriorating further." A recent change in the process of issuing port entry permits for freight vehicles by the port authority has been identified as a major source of frustration. According to freight station owners, truckers are experiencing longer waits to move containers due to difficulties in securing entry permits promptly. "Vehicles are stranded on the road for hours together because of this. A corrective measure needs to be discussed with our members and worked out so as to ensure that movement continues without any hassles," explained the CFS association. The congestion has also frustrated container rail operators, as ICD (inland container depot) volumes constitute a significant portion of Mundra’s trade. The Association of Container Train Operators (ACTO) noted in a trade advisory, "There has been increased congestion at Mundra Port due to delays in effectively evacuating import containers in FIFO [first-in, first-out] sequence on time, despite trains being provided for clearance by container train operators [CTOs]." ACTO indicated that Indian Railways has restricted double-stack loading to expedite train evacuation from the port, resulting in additional ground rent charges for traders. Mundra, Adani Ports’ flagship entity, managed 7.4 million TEUs in the fiscal year 2023-24, marking a 15% increase over Nhava Sheva Port. With volumes rapidly expanding, the Adani Group is considering further investment to enhance capacity. "We continue to invest heavily in the business to drive growth, particularly in the logistics segment," stated Adani in a recent announcement.
Lufthansa Cargo has recently expanded its offerings, providing customers with new belly capacities on several attractive routes. Since the start of June, passengers and cargo alike can benefit from direct connections to various destinations, enhancing global connectivity and trade opportunities. Direct flights to North America, including routes from Frankfurt to Minneapolis (MSP) and Raleigh-Durham (RDU) with Lufthansa Airlines, are now available for booking. Additionally, from the Lufthansa Cargo hub in Munich, new connections to Seattle (SEA) three times a week, and daily capacity to Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR) are being offered. Austrian Airlines has also introduced a new route, connecting Vienna with Los Angeles (LAX). Discover Airlines has expanded its services from Frankfurt to Halifax (YHZ) and Anchorage (ANC), further widening the reach of cargo transportation. Moreover, Lufthansa Cargo has introduced freighter capacity to Dubai World Central (DWC), providing customers with additional options for handling larger cargo items or special freight. This new service complements the existing belly service from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and offers enhanced flexibility and efficiency in cargo transportation. With a commitment to enhancing global connectivity and trade facilitation, Lufthansa Cargo continues to innovate and expand its service offerings. These new routes and increased capacities underscore Lufthansa Cargo's dedication to meeting the evolving needs of its customers in a rapidly changing global market.
In a momentous event today, PM Modi inaugurated a 77-kilometer-long section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), marking a significant milestone in India's ambitious infrastructure development efforts. The inauguration ceremony, held in the presence of key dignitaries and government officials, showcased the country's commitment to enhancing its transportation network. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is a game-changing project that aims to revolutionize India's freight transportation sector. The newly inaugurated 77-kilometer section connects key industrial regions, providing a dedicated pathway for the efficient movement of goods. With this achievement, India takes a major step towards reducing logistics costs, boosting manufacturing, and improving the overall economy. PM Modi, while addressing the audience, emphasized the importance of this project in promoting economic growth, generating employment, and reducing the carbon footprint. He noted, "The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is a testament to India's vision for a modern and efficient transportation system. It will not only enhance our connectivity but also make us a global logistics hub." The event was attended by several Union Ministers and top officials from the Ministry of Railways, underscoring the government's commitment to accelerating infrastructure development in the country.
Trade shows are mission-critical, high-investment events where logistics execution directly influences marketing ROI. Exhibitors spend months preparing for a few days on the floor, since a single missed delivery window can jeopardise the entire programme. In this environment, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) trade show logistics is no longer just transportation; it is an orchestration of timing, compliance, risk control, and venue-specific expertise. While standard LTL carriers can handle general freight, elite trade show shippers excel because they are built for the ecosystem — understanding drayage, marshalling yards, target windows, live-loading rules, equipment constraints, and the high-value nature of exhibits. This updated guide unpacks the differentiators that set the best providers apart, enhanced with additional dimensions such as KPIs, risk mitigation frameworks, technology adoption, sustainability practices, and a practical vendor-evaluation checklist. The Key Differentiators of Elite Trade Show Shippers When shipping general freight, a standard LTL carrier may be sufficient. However, event logistics demand a higher level of specialised service. The top trade show shippers possess four key differentiators that distinguish them from the rest. Proactive and Specialised Support Trade shows operate on rigid move-in schedules tied to booth size, dock flow, and decorator rules. The strongest providers deploy dedicated trade show teams who can interpret show manuals, coordinate with decorators, and time deliveries to avoid re-handling fees. Best-in-class partners also: Pre-audit documentation and labels to avoid show-site rejections Manage drayage coordination to reduce dwell and material-handling charges Offer pre-receiving and staging at regional facilities for smoother Day-1 move-ins This advisory-driven model transforms logistics from a cost center into a risk-mitigation service. Flexible Coordination and Network Access Because no two events are alike, trade show logistics demand configurable access to LTL, FTL, hot-shot, air, and international capacity. Top providers match service levels, route constraints, and budget requirements by tapping into broad asset and partner networks. A sophisticated network allows for: Expedited or guaranteed-capacity moves for high-stakes shows Cost-effective options for booth materials that can stage early Lane-specific equipment (air-ride, liftgate, climate-controlled) This flexibility becomes essential during peak show seasons when capacity is tight and timelines narrow. Guaranteed Performance and Asset Protection Event deadlines are immovable. Leading providers commit to guaranteed on-time service, narrow ETA bands, and contingency planning across linehaul and last-mile execution. They also emphasise exhibit protection through: Air-ride suspension fleets Strapping, padding, and vibration-control practices Secure transport protocols for prototypes and LED/AV assets With show participation costs rising, damage and delay prevention become competitive differentiators. End-to-End Visibility and Services Real-time visibility is no longer optional. Tocay, exhibitors rely on it to make staffing, booth-build, and drayage decisions. The best LTL partners deliver: Live tracking from pickup to booth delivery API connectivity with exhibitor dashboards Pre-emptive exception alerts and delay recovery paths For international events, leading providers integrate customs documentation, Carnet handling, temporary import permits, and venue-specific rules, ensuring frictionless handoffs across borders. What Are the Best LTL Logistics Companies for Trade Shows? Several providers exemplify these differentiators. The following firms are selected based on their demonstrated strength in specialised show support, performance-oriented service design, event fluency, flexible coordination and comprehensive offerings that cover pre-show to teardown. 1. Green River Logistics Solutions A brokerage-led model with deep carrier reach, making it ideal for exhibitors with varied lane structures. Key strengths: Highly personalised coordination and single-point-of-contact support Flexible equipment sourcing — LTL, flatbed, refrigerated, heavy haul Real-time updates and precise timing for fragile builds 2. XPO Logistics A multinational leader with a controlled linehaul network and a dedicated Trade Show Desk. Key strengths: Tight schedule integrity Venue-specific coordination and dock navigation Strong performance management systems. 3. TWI Group A global exhibition logistics specialist excelling in international customs and venue compliance. Key strengths: ATA Carnet expertise and cross-border support On-site liaisons at major venues High-touch service model for global exhibitors 4. Averitt A time-definite, reliability-driven carrier focused on window compliance. Key strengths: Guaranteed performance Expertise with marshaling yards and dock appointments Rapid recovery for last-minute constraints 5. TTI Logistics A specialist for fragile and custom builds requiring maximum protection. Key strengths: Air-ride fleets and vibration-controlled handling Precision timing for target-move-ins Advanced security protocols Comparing the Top LTL Logistics Providers for Trade Shows These providers excel in different areas. This table offers a quick comparison of their key service features to help you align their strengths with your specific needs. New Strategic Enhancements Added for a Modern Exhibitor’s Playbook Technology Advancements Worth Evaluating AI-assisted ETA predictions Digital drayage coordination tools IoT-enabled condition monitoring for AV and prototype freight Automated warehouse cut-off compliance checks Risk-Mitigation Practices That Matter Pre-show risk audits Contingency rerouting plans Venue-specific compliance checklists High-value cargo insurance design Sustainability Expectations from Today’s Exhibitors Low-emission or EV linehaul and last-mile options Carbon-neutral freight programs Reusable or recyclable crating solutions Emissions dashboards linked to booth shipments Performance Metrics That Define Best-in-Class Providers On-time delivery to target windows Damage-free shipment percentage Visibility uptime SLA Drayage handoff accuracy Exception-resolution response time How to Vet Your Trade Show Logistics Partner Applying the key differentiators includes asking potential partners the right questions. When your program includes international stops, ask about their documentation process, how they manage Carnets and how visibility will work across handoffs. The following can further validate fit and execution discipline: What is your detailed experience with my venue and decorator? Can you guarantee delivery within target-window constraints? What risk-mitigation plan is activated if my freight misses staging cutoff? What specialised equipment will you use for fragile or custom exhibits? How do you integrate with drayage contractors and marshaling yards? Which visibility tools and tracking integrations are available? Can you manage international customs documentation end-to-end? What sustainability options can be applied to my show calendar? Your Partner Is Your Most Critical Exhibit A logistics provider is more than a freight handler; they are the enabler of your presence on the show floor. The right LTL partner combines timing discipline, technical fluency, equipment strength, and venue intelligence to protect your brand and maximise your event ROI. Elite trade show shippers don’t just move freight; they orchestrate flawless show execution.
The expansion of Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step towards strengthening trade relations between India and the Gulf region. The enhanced infrastructure and capacity of the port are set to benefit businesses and industries on both sides, facilitating smoother trade and commerce. The expansion of Dammam Port opens up new opportunities for Indian businesses to engage in import and export activities with the Gulf nations. It also serves as a strategic gateway for goods traveling to and from India, further improving the logistics and transportation landscape for businesses. The project showcases the commitment of both India and Saudi Arabia to enhance economic ties and boost bilateral trade. The increased port capacity will help meet the growing demand for trade between the two regions, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of both nations.
Air India is setting its sights on a promising future as the exclusive carrier for TATA's iPhone exports. This strategic partnership between the renowned Indian airline and the tech giant TATA promises to boost India's manufacturing and export capabilities. The collaboration will enable Air India to become the sole carrier for TATA's iPhone exports, facilitating the efficient transport of these popular devices to international markets. With a reputation for reliability and global reach, Air India is poised to play a crucial role in TATA's supply chain. The move not only strengthens the relationship between two major Indian companies but also underlines India's growing importance in the global technology and manufacturing sectors. Air India's role as the exclusive carrier for iPhone exports is expected to generate significant revenue for the airline and enhance India's position as a hub for high-tech exports.
