Supply chain of the future: Key principles in building an omnichannel distribution network.

As omnichannel shopping is becoming the new norm, consumer and retail companies must be ready to deliver fast, impeccable omnichannel service. This information should be combined with customer-behavior insights culled from customer interviews, observations, and the latest research from market experts, as well as analyses of competitors' e-commerce offerings. Thus, one should consider that products can also be shipped directly from the production facility or dark stores - noncustomer-facing miniwarehouses usually within a city, where products are stored, picked, and shipped directly to consumers. The company first conducted intensive market research, including interviews with end customers, store visits, and competitive analyses to understand customer expectations of omnichannel shopping and delivery. [Extracted from the article]