Table A1

Results from the coding process

Open coding
(sustainability Challenges)
First-order concepts (sustainability challenges)Second-order themes (critical sustainability factors)Dimensions (triple bottom Line)
⁃Supplier is unable to deliver the ordered quantity (ER4)Inventory UpdatingStorageEconomic
⁃Changes in product assortment (ER5)
⁃Expired items are not removed promptly (OCR7)
⁃Stock adjustments are made manually (OCR3, ER6)
⁃Regional differences in product assortment (OCR5)
⁃Sales rights are missing (OCR4)
⁃Data synchronization between physical and online stores (OCR2, OCR4)
⁃Limited storage capacity of physical stores (OCR7)Storage Capacity
⁃Inaccuracy in picking quantity (ER2)Defective PickingPicking
⁃Manual product scanning (ER7)
⁃Picking in the wrong boxes (ER2)
⁃Lack of attention to product quality (OCR5)
⁃Damaged products due to inadequate care (ER7)
⁃Manually determined picking routes (OCR1, OCR4, OCR5, ER2)Long Picking Time
⁃Manual product scanning (ER7)
⁃Search for replacement products (OCR4, ER6)
⁃Lack of standardized shelf locations (OCR4, ER6)
⁃Poor store layouts (OCR2, OCR4, ER7)
⁃Basket must be rearranged during picking (OCR2)
⁃Order picking during regular store hours (OCR2, OCR4, OCR6, OCR7)
⁃Long waiting times at store checkouts (OCR4)
⁃Theft and loss of parcels during transit (ER2, ER3)Logistic Service ProvidersLast-Mile Delivery
⁃Rough handling of products (OCR3)
⁃Lack of quality control upon delivery (OCR4, OCR5, ER2)
⁃Failures in refrigeration units (ER1, ER2, ER5, ER7)Product Cooling
⁃Long journeys (ER7)
⁃Undelivered orders (OCR7, ER3)
⁃Supply challenges of dry ice (ER5)
⁃Different temperature requirements for products (OCR5, ER1, ER3, ER5, ER6)
⁃Fluctuating petrol and diesel prices (OCR2, OCR4)Delivery Vehicle
⁃High CO2 emissions in urban areas (OCR4)
⁃Reliance on public charging stations (OCR6)
⁃Limited availability of charging stations (ER2)
⁃Limited driving ranges (ER5)
⁃Loading space of bicycles and mopeds (OCR7, ER6)Transport Capacity
⁃Underutilization of vehicles in low-demand areas (OCR5, ER2, ER4)
⁃Use of multiple boxes that are not fully utilized (OCR5, ER3, ER5, ER6)
⁃High traffic volumes and narrow streets in urban areas (OCR2, OCR4, OCR6, ER2, ER6)Delivery Area
⁃Inability to park close to delivery destinations in urban areas (OCR4)
⁃Multistoried apartment buildings (OCR2, ER4, ER7)
⁃Low customer density and long deliveries in rural areas (OCR2, OCR4, OCR5, ER1, ER2, ER6)
⁃Clustering widely spread customers (ER7)
⁃Improper handling by suppliers (ER5)Product Handling and Quality ControlFood WasteEcological
⁃Sensitive products are prone to damage (ER7)
⁃Maintaining an unbroken cold chain (ER1, ER2)
⁃Failures in refrigeration units (ER1, ER2, ER5, ER7)
⁃Regulatory restrictions prohibit the return of fresh food (OCR2, OCR4, OCR5, OCR7, ER2, ER3)
⁃Suppliers deliver mixed batches of products (ER5)Shelf-Life Management
⁃Suppliers deliver products with short best-before dates (ER3)
⁃Products arrive already expired (OCR4)
⁃Products without best-before dates are difficult to monitor (OCR4, OCR6, OCR7, ER3, ER7)
⁃Variability in customer orders increases overstocking (ER2, ER3)Customer Behavior
⁃Unwanted substitute products (OCR5, OCR7, ER2)
⁃Different preferences for the maturity levels of products (ER2)
⁃Customer absence during delivery attempts (OCR2, OCR5, OCR6, OCR7, ER1, ER2, ER5)
⁃Bags bursting due to excessive air inside the packaging (OCR3)Packaging DesignFood Packaging
⁃Inefficiency in packaging utilization (OCR3, ER5)
⁃Disposable packaging (OCR7)
⁃Customers may not return reusable boxes (ER2)Reusable Packaging
⁃Inefficiencies in packaging return cycle (OCR4, OCR6, OCR7, ER4, ER7)
⁃Costly management of reusable packaging (OCR6, ER2)
⁃Limited storage space for reusable packaging (OCR7, ER2)
⁃Supply chain failures lead to undelivered products (OCR6, ER3, ER4, ER6)Product AvailabilityProduct SatisfactionSocial
⁃Discrepancies between online and actual stock in warehouses (OCR3, OCR7, ER2)
⁃Crediting customers for unavailable items (ER2, ER6)
⁃Contact customers to suggest alternatives (OCR3, OCR4, ER6, ER7)Substitute Products
⁃Unwanted or expensive replacements (OCR2, OCR6, OCR7, ER2)
⁃Customers refuse replacement items (OCR5, OCR7, ER2)
⁃Delivering substitute product later than the original order (OCR2, OCR4, ER1, ER7)
⁃Product complaints of non-returnable goods (OCR7, ER2, ER4)Product Returns
⁃Statutory right of withdrawal and fragile goods (OCR3, ER1)
⁃Customer service resources to resolve complaints (ER3, ER4)
⁃Late suppliers disrupt delivery schedules (OCR6)Resource ConstraintsPunctuality and Reliability
⁃Shortage of vehicles and drivers (OCR4, OCR5, ER1, ER4)
⁃Short-term changes in customer orders (ORC5)Customer-Induced Delivery Disruptions
⁃Customer demand short delivery windows (OCR2, ER3, ER6)
⁃Second delivery attempt increases transportation costs (OCR2, ER1, ER3)
⁃Customer's address cannot be found (ER3)
⁃Sorting back of undelivered orders (OCR2, OCR5, OCR6, OCR7, ER2, ER3, ER5)

Note(s): ER = electronic retailing; OCR = omnichannel retailing

Source(s): Authors' own work

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