Unusual solutions to logistical problems during the pandemic

As we already know, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused several problems for logistics operations around the world. With people isolated and restrictions on businesses and agglomerations, a series of new difficulties arise. In the midst of an unusual event like this, some unorthodox solutions have been emerging. I speak below of some of these more curious situations.

Easter is the most anticipated event for the chocolate industry and retail, and Covid certainly came as a bucket of cold water, with the outbreak exploding right before the date. Many of the traders are concerned about selling, mainly because we know that this inventory has been built up too far in advance and can be lost by the closing of the trade. The owner of Kopenhagen de Botafogo didn't want to hear about it and simply moved all the stock from the store to his own house. For delivery, you are doing online delivery from your home, duly air-conditioned, of course. “Home retail” is a noble attitude that has saved countless Nhá Bentas and Lajotinhas, at a time when we need that endorphin that chocolate helps to release more than ever.

Distribution of newspapers through sound cars

In the midst of confinement, it is always necessary to keep up to date with world news. I recommend the publications that Alexandre Lobo has been doing daily here at Insights, but many people may prefer good old newsprint (especially those who have a dog…). As it became more difficult to go to the newsstand, a solution adopted by the newspapers O DIA and Meia Hora was to distribution by sound cars, in Niterói-RJ. A different idea, but one that could be very good. I would even go further and suggest a load consolidation with the “egg car”, to improve the efficiency of the operation. It is also recommended to wash your hands after handling the journal.

Sports leagues à la Big Brother

With the explosion of the pandemic in the first quarter, almost all world sporting events scheduled for 2020, such as the Olympics, Eurocopa and Copa América, were postponed until next year. Now, the main headache is what to do with the championships that were already in the middle. Several formats and proposals have been discussed to carry out the remaining matches in a reduced space of time. In China, the country where the viral outbreak began, the local basketball league proposed a bold operation to end the competition. As the problem with these disputes is the numerous trips to the territories of each team, the idea is to place all the players and others involved in one or two cities, where they would be isolated in hotels, and would only go out to a single gym to play the games. , in special vehicles and with ample action to disinfect places and medical tests. The idea, which has not yet been tested because the country has suspended events again, seems extravagant, but other competitions, such as the NBA (American basketball league) and the Premier League (first division of English football) are considering adopting a similar model.

It is true that some more unusual solutions are not fully applicable to many operations, but a totally atypical moment in recent history requires creativity to work around the problems. Thinking about these cases, reflect on what can be done with your inventory that was stopped, the distribution channels used, the organization of the teams and how they will work, among other problems. The important thing is not to stick to established models, and to think even more outside the box (but indoors!) until normalcy is restored.

References:

• In order not to lose merchandise, the owner of the Kopenhagen store has a bold idea
• Sound trucks will sell the newspapers O Dia e Meia Hora in Niterói
• NBA looks to China again, this time for a calendar fix