With LoMaCro+ we develop a virtual “local market place” which strengthens stationary shops and reduces emissions.

As it is often more convenient to search the internet rather than multiple stores, many customers today choose online retailers that in turn deliver right to their front door. This has been part of the challenges, local retailers faced in the last couple of years and has, at the same time, fostered highly inefficient logistics. Single products are being delivered from distant logistics centres to the customer, instead of being shipped collectively to specialized local stores for further distribution.

LoMaCro+ contributes to multi-channel marketing strategies which interlink innovative communications and distribution channels. In a first step, the diversity of local products is aggregated within a single online market place. Customers can access the local market place via a smartphone app. This provides a high degree of visibility for small scale businesses. The same app is used to organize a robust logistics system which we call “Crowd+”, consisting of bike messenger services and a crowd-delivery solution of private bikers. Professional messengers or the crowd deliver products up to 100 kg. The result is an affordable, flexible logistics system which is faster and CO2 neutral.

By the innovative integration of retailers and logistic services, LoMaCro+ contributes to strengthening local businesses, to upholding the ideals of the European city and providing eco-friendly delivery.

The project is led by evolaris and carried out in close collaboration with TU Wien (IVS), Büro Mathias Mitteregger e.U., Fuhrwerk Logistik GmbH und EN GARDE. The project is co-financed through the FFG funding programme “Mobilität der Zukunft”.