CONSUMERS are being ripped off because the transport and service industries are slow on the uptake of technology to cut costs, according to SmartTrans .
Groceries, including bread, milk, and other daily necessities, will continue their price increases because of unnecessary fuel surcharges.
Suppliers were forcing consumers to pay more than they should, by not being innovative enough to use new technology says transport consultant and CEO of SmartTrans, Tim Herring.
"The transport industry really needs to lift its game,” he said. "Consumers are already paying more for petrol at the pump and are now being hit with fuel surcharges that have been passed on to them by manufacturers and suppliers.
“There is proven technology to reduce transport costs so surcharges are not necessary. Consumers don't have to be ripped off.”
Lisa Calder, Marketing Manager of leading Melbourne-based logistics consultancy Mercantile Business Solutions, agrees that optimisation software and mobile data applications enable companies to streamline their operations and transport costs by up to 30%.
"The solutions are available. Manufacturers and suppliers need to start thinking of the impact of fuel price increases over the next year," said Ms Calder.
"The consumer simply cannot afford to pay for a fuel surcharge built into the price of products or services, as well as increased pump prices, let alone any interest rate increase imposed by the Reserve Bank".
"Our research shows that companies that have publicly identified the problem are not necessarily interested in reducing the cost of distribution by implementing current and proven technology,” said Mr Herring. “They simply add a fuel surcharge."