one big disadvantage is the speed of transportation by shipment, it’s extremely slow so would be unsuitable where time is an important factor.
Transportation by plane is highly efficient as it takes a shorter amount of time than all of the alternative methods as its journey is unbroken. It has a quicker turnover and is more frequent than shipment and also has a better tracking system. It can carry a variety of items whereas transport such as Lorries, can only carry goods within the same category according to product, such as food which would need to be in a refrigerated lorry. The average plane can carry up to one hundred and twenty four tons which exceeds the other methods of transport by a long way. However this method also has its disadvantages. Despite being the quickest method of transport it is very costly. It is also not always reliable as air transport is controlled by the weather, conditions such as snow or heavy rain may cause flight cancellations delaying delivery time
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Here at Boohoo, although out methods of transport used are road and ship, we believe that plane is the most efficient method. This is because although it is the most expensive method of transport it is necessary for our competition such as Zara. Zara have deliveries twice a week so need a delivery system that is quick enough for their turnover of stock. This means that because Zara always have new stock they keep their customers interested and coming back for more which leads to more sales, so a boost in profits which then, in turn, means that they are not making a loss as the amount of sales being made makes up for the expenses of air transportation.
PROS
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CONS
In the logistics industry there are four main methods of transport within the distribution channel; road, rail, ship and plane.
Transportation by road the process of transporting goods using motored, wheeled vehicles known as Lorries. It is thought to be the best method of transport as it is the cheapest and there are not many restrictions regarding where the lorry can go compared to planes and ships which have to stick to a certain route, however this depends on the distance travelled. Advantages are that; it provides a complete ‘door-to-door’ service, it can be the faster method for shorter distances, it provides frequent service and the lorry can be loaded and unloaded quickly. An example of disadvantages are; it’s more expensive for longer distances, it is limited as to what it can carry in comparison to the three other methods of transport as they are able to carry more than ten times what a lorry can. Lorries are also affected by weather conditions and traffic unlike trains or ships
The greatest advantage of transport by rail is that it is the most dependable method of transport out of the main four used. It is also better organised than any other method as it has fixed routes and schedules and is not affected by the weather. Its speed over long distances stays consistent as there is no traffic on railways. Trains are also more suitable for transporting bulky and heavy goods over long distances. Additionally to this it is also the safest method of transport as there is a minimum chance of breakdowns and accidents compared to the alternative methods. The disadvantages of rail transport are that; unlike Lorries it lacks ‘door-to-door’ service, it is also very inflexible as the timings and routes cannot be adjusted to the individual requirements of businesses. Another disadvantage is that it is uneconomical and unsuitable for short distances.
Ships, like aeroplanes, can carry a large quantity of goods and provide a much more flexible service than railways as the timings can be adjusted to individual requirements. Risk of accidents is low, not as low as railways, but still minimal. However, as with everything, this method has its disadvantages. The