LOGISTICS BEHAVIOR IN LAST-MILE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD PRODUCTS IN VILLAVICENCIO, COLOMBIA LOGISTICS BEHAVIOR IN LAST-MILE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD PRODUCTS IN VILLAVICENCIO, COLOMBIA

Abstract

Urban logistics are a major issue given that urban centers tend to grow and consolidate economic and industrial activities with social and human activities. The vast majority of studies related to this field follow the traditional transport approach, which aims to explain variables related to the supply of transportation instead of analyzing the actual demand. There is a lack of understanding regarding customers’ behavior,  and this concern is evident in previous studies related to city logistics. In this paper, we aim to provide an analysis of the main trends and behaviors of household purchases, specifically food products, through the use of primary information sources and statistical tools. The results obtained in a rapidly growing urban center in Colombia provide a framework to understand the behavior of household purchases based on three main variables: (i) products, (ii) vehicles, and (iii) purchase frequency related to the type of food procurement facility (store).