Retailer delivery at scale: How large van fleets enable same-day fulfillment

We’ll cut to the chase. Fast, reliable delivery has become the new standard for modern retail. Customers expect large, bulky, custom items to arrive almost as quickly as food delivery. And to meet these growing demands, retailers have struggled to revamp how delivery logistics operate beyond the warehouse. 

The center of this shift? Retail van fleets. From store-based fulfillment to dedicated delivery, savvy retailers are leveraging van fleets to build competitive last-mile strategies designed for speed and scale. Here’s exactly how the big retailers do it. 

Why last-mile delivery from store is the new default

For decades, parcel services and long-haul trucking were king in last-mile delivery. While efficient for bulk material or small one-off orders, this model struggles to meet the speed customers demand. Additionally, rising transportation costs and carbon footprints from unnecessary trips or oversized vehicles burden retailers. 

Today, last-mile delivery for retailers is largely store-based and has become the dominant strategy for the largest retailers. By shipping from the store directly to the consumer, retailers can reduce distance, costs, and improve order completion rates. Store-based delivery also gives retailers: 

• Consistent same or next-day delivery
• Reduced fuel costs and delivery mileage
• Better inventory control and turnover
• Faster response times to market demand shifts 

By using hundreds or even thousands of stores as micro-fulfillment hubs, retailers gain a leg up on geographic reach that even the most advanced distribution network can’t replicate. 

How big retailers do last-mile at scale

The secret is that big retailers don’t rely on a single delivery method. Instead, they build layered systems made to handle variability, volume, and geographic complexity. This is what that looks like. 

Core fleet capacity

Retailers typically maintain a baseline fleet, either owned or through a dedicated service, to handle predictable volume. These vans operate out of high-throughput stores and serve consistent, pre-scheduled delivery routes. 

Flexible, on-demand service

Delivery demand spikes can come from promotions, seasonal shifts, or holidays, requiring additional or reduced capacity. Instead of overinvesting in a lone internal fleet, retailers use their third-party van fleet partners to scale up or down as needed. 

Store-level dispatch

Deliveries are routed based on customer proximity, delivery windows, and inventory availability. Stores serve as local dispatch hubs, enabling retailers of all sizes to optimize routes and on-demand deliveries with ease. 

Technology and visibility

It’s no secret that tech-driven platforms are the ones that outperform the rest. Fleet performance depends on live delivery tracking, proof of delivery, traffic forecasting, customer notifications, and performance analytics. Data-driven decision making means retailers can continuously optimize their operations to keep up with (or beat) the competition. 

This layered approach allows retailers to scale effectively while keeping consistent service standards across all available markets. 

Internal fleet management is a thing of the past

Last-mile delivery is only growing more complex, and fleet delivery is quickly shifting away from internal operations. Managing and hiring drivers, and maintaining, purchasing, and repairing vehicles requires significant time and money. Often, these operations distract from the business’s core growth goals. 

With a flexible van fleet, retailers are instead focused on outcomes such as demand, consistent delivery drop-offs, cost efficiency, and a consistent customer experience. By separating fleet access from fleet ownership, shipping managers can worry less about flat tires and more about the latest performance KPIs. 

Curri: Enabling retail van fleet delivery for all 

As retailers move to store-based fulfillment and van fleet strategies, Curri remains a trusted, professional partner. Curri is a comprehensive logistics platform that makes last-mile delivery flexible, consistent, and cost-effective. 

Curri connects retailers to a nationwide network of highly vetted drivers, allowing them to leverage some of the best van fleets while bypassing the operational burden of managing them. Retailers can dispatch on demand with Curri, supporting same or next-day delivery at scale. Booking and route planning are also AI-powered and highly intuitive, and it’s all within a single platform. 

For big retailers looking for a layered fleet strategy, Curri also offers parcel, FTL, LTL, and dedicated shipping. Retailers trust Curri to be their sole fleet for all delivery needs or to supplement their internal fleet during peak-demand seasons. And the best part? There’s no commitment. When you don’t need Curri, take a break from booking. 

Here’s how Curri’s van fleet offering compares to the traditional carriers:

Get started with Curri today

Same-day or next-day delivery is no longer a competitive edge. They should be the standard for your store. Growing retailers invest in a flexible fleet strategy optimized to scale up or down on demand without the burden of bloated overhead costs. 

With Curri, retailers gain visibility, speed, control, and trust in their van fleets. Logistics go from complex to convenient, and meeting customer demand is a can-do every time. To learn more about van fleets or any type of delivery, book a demo with the Curri team today.