2026 Buyer's Guide: How to Choose a Transport Company for Retail Store Deliveries in French-Speaking Switzerland

A usable specification describes the actual conditions of execution. Use the same version for all candidates and impose a common format for their reservations and exclusions.

The data to be provided for each point of sale

Create a sheet for each business with the following list:

• Network data: address, point of sale category, frequency, usual volumes, peaks, and flows to B2B customers.
• Goods: packages, pallets, or other logistical units, weight, dimensions, fragility, and handling constraints.
• Execution: authorized days and hours, appointment scheduling, type of reception, access, dock, and unloading equipment.
• Reception: authorized person, site contact information, and control rules upon delivery.
• Information: expected proof of delivery, tracking data, and recipients of alerts.
• Exceptions: applicable procedure in case of absence, refusal, damage, delay or inability to access.

Have the data confirmed by the stores. A theoretical instruction that differs from local practices results in waiting times and failures that are difficult to attribute.

Services and exceptions to formalize

Distinguish standard flows from fragile products, of high value, temperature-controlled or regulated. Also identify returns, emergencies, and cross-border operations.

Request a separate estimate for services related to your organization: warehousing, order preparation, labeling, cross-docking, returns, appointments or customs formalities. Cross-docking quickly transfers received goods to their departure, without long-term storage.

These services are only relevant if the flow structure justifies them. As capacities to verify, STAR Logistique offers warehousing and order preparation and secure transport , as well as cross-docking capabilities.

Always request confirmation of the applicable scope for your goods and your sites.

The evaluation starts with actual coverage, then examines capacity, execution, and management. For an analysis that also covers the flow model and IT visibility, use the logistics service provider selection guide for retail.

Coverage, capacities and compatibility of goods

Ask: "Which municipalities and time slots can you confirm?" An announced presence in the Romandy region does not prove that each address and each schedule are covered. Demand a map or a precise list.

Then check the ability to serve multiple sites and absorb the expected variations. Ask this question: "What system applies during a peak or unavailability?"

The vehicles, tailgates, securing equipment, and handling means must correspond to the transported units. STAR Logistique manages the packages, pallets, and containers among the national transport formats. This example shows why each candidate must confirm the exact compatibility of formats, weights, and product constraints.

Also ask how the carrier controls compliance with the time slots. Punctuality is measured against the agreed schedule, according to a written and shared rule.

Traceability, anomaly management, and service continuity

Ask directly verifiable questions:

• "What proof of delivery do you provide and in what format?"
• "Who alerts whom, within what timeframe, in case of damage, delay, or refusal?"
• "How are incidents recorded, tracked, and closed?"
• "What continuity solution applies if a resource becomes unavailable?"

Ask for the indicators of punctuality, complete delivery, damage, proof of delivery, and exceptions. Complete delivery measures the delivery of all planned units. The damage rate measures the proportion of units or shipments reported as damaged. For example, the Post has 96.1% Priority punctuality in 2025.

The delivery proof rate measures the share of deliveries with the expected proof. The exception rate measures the share of operations that deviate from the planned process. Do not impose a threshold without considering the flow, but require the calculation formula, the data source, and the reporting frequency.

Replace general statements with evidence: demonstration of tracking, example of report, responsibility matrix, incident procedure, and references corresponding to your type of goods.

Compare service levels, rather than isolated unit rates. The quote should separate the recurring base, startup costs, onetime operations, and assumptions that may affect the billing.

Check the chosen unit: stop, package, pallet, weight, volume, kilometer, slot, dedicated vehicle, handling or administrative operation. Also ask if this unit changes depending on the area or the nature of the service.

Highlight the inclusions and exclusions related to insurance, returns, customs, emergencies and peaks. Write a dash when an item remains unanswered.

The total service cost includes all operations necessary for the expected execution. 2 unit prices remain incomparable when deadlines, responsibilities, exclusions or additional services differ.

Independent businesses and small networks

Prioritize compatibility with reception times, access constraints and total cost. Ensure that the procedure remains simple for the store: identified contact, clear delivery instructions and quick handling of an absence.

A complex system can create a disproportionate administrative burden. Focus the evaluation on situations encountered regularly and on exceptions that would block supply.

Multi-site brands and B2B distributors

For a network of stores, prioritize confirmed coverage, regularity, tracking data and peak management. Also check the ability to apply different instructions according to the sites without losing a consolidated view.

A B2B distributor must examine the logistics units, the preparation, returns, and integration with its existing processes. A WMS, or warehouse management system, becomes relevant when stocks, the preparation, and delivery events need to be tracked in the same process. STAR Logistique relies on advanced WMS. It is important to verify the interfaces, the exchanged data, and the responsibilities.

Sensitive flows, regulated or with high service constraints

For sensitive flows, prioritize the documented procedures for temperature, safety, compliance, delivery, and handling of discrepancies. Pharmaceuticals, hazardous goods, temperature-controlled products, and high-value items require distinct controls.

STAR Logistique publishes services for secure transport, temperature-controlled, and hazardous goods. These specializations must undergo precise validation of accepted goods, procedures, equipment, exclusions, and contractual conditions.

Proceed in 4 steps: send the same specifications, impose an identical response format, score the candidates, and then test the scenario on a representative panel of addresses, formats, and constraints.

A weighted evaluation grid

Define the weighting according to your operational risks. Integrate multi-site capability into the assessment of coverage and continuity.

Proofs to request before signing

Request a service level proposal, a coverage map, a standard report, the calculation rules for indicators and a responsibility matrix. Add the incident procedure, the continuity plan, the draft contract and the detailed pricing grid.

The contract must specify the measurement method, the frequency of reporting, escalation contacts and alert deadlines. It must also distribute the responsibilities of the shipper and the carrier, define the exclusions and frame the rate revisions.

STAR Logistique publishes next-day delivery in Switzerland. This type of commitment must be defined in the offer by area, pickup time, acceptance conditions, exclusions and proof of measurement.

The pilot checks the device on representative businesses. Record each deviation, its cause, its responsible party, and the corrective action before expanding the scope.

Perform this final check before any decision:

• Compare different scopes: send back a common dataset and require the list of exclusions.
• Choose based solely on unit price: reconstruct the total cost for an identical operational scenario.
• Omit peaks and returns: add a peak scenario and a return flow to the estimate.
• Assume geographic coverage: request confirmation by municipality, address, and time slot.
• Ignore access constraints: validate the site sheets and handling means.
• Accept imprecise indicators: have their formula, source, and frequency documented.
• Sign without a pilot: conduct a representative test and examine the deviations.
• Neglect incidents: attach a procedure and a responsibility matrix to the contract.

These corrections reduce ambiguities during the comparison and facilitate the tracking of commitments after the start.