Martina Baglio

Purpose: Grocery retailers in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector are reconfiguring their logistics networks to address rising operational complexity and technological disruption. In this context, warehouse automation is moving beyond operational support to play a strategic role, enabling firms to redesign processes and adapt logistics systems to dynamic market and technological conditions. Despite the growing relevance of automation, empirical understanding of how automated technologies are selected, combined, and adapted in grocery DCs remains limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating how grocery retailers implement warehouse automation to transform logistics processes in response to evolving operational complexity and market demands. Design/methodology/approach: A multi-phase qualitative approach was adopted, combining semi-structured interviews with eight automation providers and six grocery retailers, complemented by site visits. Data were analysed through the Gioia method to inductively derive recurring patterns and managerial logics. The emerging framework was then interpreted through the lens of the DCT. Findings: The study identifies six DC processes supported by distinct automation technologies, such as AS/RS systems, miniloads, shuttles, and robotic picking stations, and five strategic decision factors guiding automation decisions: selectivity, accessibility, expandability, scalability and resilience. Interpreted through the lens of dynamic capabilities theory, these dimensions show how the implementation of automation supports firms in sensing operational requirements, seizing technological opportunities and sustaining long-term adaptability and operational continuity. Originality/value: This research bridges the gap between theory and practice in grocery logistics by conceptualising warehouse automation implementation as a dynamic capability. It provides a validated framework for scholars and practitioners, supporting informed, future-oriented automation strategies in retail distribution.

Questo studio indaga, attraverso metodi qualitativi e quantitativi, il valore economico generato dai magazzini in Italia. Attraverso un'indagine quantitativa su oltre 232 magazzini, sono stati raccolti dati sulle attività svolte e sulle ricadute in termini di occupazione, traf?co veicolare ed effetti diretti, indiretti e indotti sul territorio. Dalle risposte sono stati de?niti alcuni indicatori chiave che evidenziano come il valore economico generato varia a seconda del tipo di magazzino e della qualità delle operazioni logistiche svolte al suo interno.

This study examines the role of Warehouse 5.0 in value creation through the integration of technical innovation, environmental sustainability, and human-centric methods. The research employs a systematic literature review to identify the primary methods by which each dimension creates internal value, such as efficiency, safety, and resource optimisation, as well as external value, including innovation diffusion, emission reduction, and social inclusion. The analysis indicates that these characteristics are both individually significant and interrelated, exhibiting synergistic effects that amplify their potential. A conceptual framework is presented to demonstrate how the integration of digital tools, sustainable practices, and inclusive design transforms warehouses into multi-dimensional infrastructures that provide systemic value. This study enhances the theoretical understanding of Warehouse 5.0 and provides managers with strategic insights for implementing balanced, cross-functional warehouse improvements.

Purpose – The logistics sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with warehousing activities responsible for 13% of the sector's emissions. Despite the growing focus on sustainability, limited research explicitly addresses green warehouses and their environmental impact. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying key factors for creating a green warehouse and developing an innovative rating model. Design/methodology/approach – Focusing on the Italian logistics real estate sector, which is experiencing growth in both contract logistics and real estate, this research identifies 22 key sustainability factors. These factors are validated using the Delphi methodology, involving 22 experts selected from real estate agents, property developers, investors, 3PLs and academics. Then, the model was applied to a sample of 35 warehouses, providing an initial sustainability assessment. Findings – The results reveal significant variability in the importance assigned to sustainable practices for warehouses. The study also highlights specific sustainability factors frequently overlooked in the literature, underscoring the limitations of traditional green certifications not specifically tailored to warehousing. Originality/value – This research proposes a novel rating model designed to meet the sustainability needs of warehouses, distinguishing it from existing certifications that lack warehouse-specific criteria. From an academic perspective, it fills gaps in knowledge about the sustainability of logistics real estate, while from a business perspective, it provides a practical tool for logistics managers to assess and prioritise sustainability investments. This focused framework enables warehouse operators to make more informed decisions in line with evolving market demands for sustainable practices.

Logistics 4.0 is a recent paradigm derived from the Industry 4.0 paradigm applied to the logistics sec-tor. Several new technologies have been developed to improve logistics performance. The presentresearch aims to build a maturity model to support 3PL providers in assessing their level of maturityand identifying the areas in which to invest to improve the logistics service offered through the imple-mentation of Logistics 4.0 technologies. The maturity model was developed using a structured frame-work of four main steps: the definition of the model scope; the model design (literature review onLogistics 4.0 and the existing maturity models); the model composition and validation; and pilot testsin three relevant 3PL providers. The proposed maturity model has four constructs (i.e. strategic out-comes, requirements, Logistics 4.0 technologies, managerial and capability supporters) and four matur-ity levels (i.e. initial, intermediate, advanced, cutting-edge).

In the contemporary global business landscape, the rising complexity of production and logistics systems increases the need for automation. That is why investments in warehouse automation are rising, and practitioners need guidelines to invest in the right technology. In this paper, a systematic literature review is performed to assess the contributions’ ability to provide an up-to-date framework for automated order picking systems (OPS). To adopt an empirical lens, technology providers were interviewed about the best available technologies on the market, identified through technology scouting, to provide more details on the distinct features of the classified technologies. The study aims to provide a new framework for automated OPS, grounded in literature, to help practitioners better navigate the available technologies and choose those that best suit their industrial context. Future research should evaluate automated OPS technologies more holistically and quantitatively, including different perspectives from providers, to better analyse requirements, and impacts on macro-trends.