Which strategy can help reduce logistics costs effectively?

Optimizing transportation routes and schedules is a highly effective strategy for reducing logistics costs. By strategically planning transportation routes, businesses can minimize fuel consumption, reduce travel time, and lower overall transportation expenses. Efficient routing ensures that vehicles take the most direct paths, which not only saves money but also enhances delivery speed and improves customer satisfaction.

Furthermore, effective scheduling can help maximize the utilization of transportation assets, allowing for better coordination of shipments and reducing instances of idle time. This optimization leads to more efficient load planning, reducing the number of trips needed and contributing to significant cost savings.

In contrast, increasing inventory levels generally ties up capital and can lead to higher warehousing costs, while extending supplier payment terms indefinitely might not lead to cost reduction and could harm supplier relationships. Focusing solely on domestic shipping methods limits flexibility and can prevent a business from taking advantage of potentially cost-effective international shipping options.