Google Express to shutter Bay Area distribution hubs

The search giant's same-day delivery service will instead seek to partner with delivery firms. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 21, 2015

As e-commerce grows, brick-and-mortar retailers focus on supply chains

In addition to leveraging their physical stores for fulfillment, more retailers are building regional warehouses to meet customers' e-commerce needs, Amazon-style.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 21, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

The state of retail returns

Retailers of all sizes are streamlining operations so customers can have a smooth return experience. 

By Retail Dive staff

Target pilots faster fulfillment with reduced delivery windows

The retailer aims to speed up delivery through ship-from-store fulfillment.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 20, 2015

Amazon looking at public transportation for delivery

Buses, trains, and subways would join the distribution network, according to a patent filing. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 18, 2015

J.C. Penney's recovery includes focus on e-commerce

The retailer is having better success than most these days, and seems to be making the right moves for the future.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 17, 2015

Tiger Global leads $30M investment in e-commerce robotics company

This new investment in GreyOrange is another vote for robotics in logistics.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 13, 2015

Legacy retailers borrowing online retailers' inventory strategies

Target and Macy's are learning from once purely-online retailers' new stores, which use technology to reduce in-store inventories. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 12, 2015

Google Express gets new leadership amid e-commerce push

New general manager Brian Elliott led development of the search giant's "Buy" button. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 10, 2015

Demand for smaller, urban distribution centers rising

As with much of the evolution of e-commerce and logistics, Amazon is driving the trend.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 10, 2015

Are robots the next step in the same-day delivery rush?

Entrepreneur Louis Borders hopes to pioneer robot-powered fulfillment. But his latest venture sounds a lot like another retailer we know.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 6, 2015

Target offers free shipping, free returns for back to school

The retailer found that sales “soar” when shipping is free.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 4, 2015

Macy's expands same-day delivery to challenge Amazon

Macy’s, with the help of delivery service Deliv, is now offering same-day delivery in 17 markets.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 4, 2015

Profitero: On average, Jet handily bests Amazon & Wal-Mart on price

Although Jet touts some of the lowest prices on the web, price may no longer be the essential differentiator in e-commerce.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 3, 2015

Prompted by Amazon, USPS beefing up on-demand delivery services

The postal service is Amazon’s most prolific carrier, and its “letter carriers” are increasingly delivering more packages and groceries—and fewer letters.

By Daphne Howland • July 31, 2015

How much is free shipping really costing retailers?

The problem with offering free shipping—which is commonly becoming the norm within e-commerce—is that retailers may not even know how much they're losing on the deal.

By Daphne Howland • July 30, 2015

Amazon unveils drone safety plan

Amazon is calling for government cooperation in drone regulation, and has done some of the legwork to get things done.

By Daphne Howland • July 30, 2015

UPS to expand Access Point program to 8,000 locations

The secure delivery locations ease consumer fears about buying online. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 29, 2015

Can American Apparel continue to keep its commitment to 'Made in the USA'?

If the retailer abandons its longtime commitment to U.S.-made apparel, it becomes just another apparel retailer getting its goods from overseas sources.

By Daphne Howland • July 28, 2015

Nordstrom to boost its partnership with J. Crew's Madewell

Bringing in Madewell has been one of several successful moves Nordstrom has made to diversify its offerings.

By Daphne Howland • July 28, 2015

Wal-Mart boosts online fulfillment footprint

The retailer opened a new fulfillment center in Pennsylvania with the goal of being able to deliver online orders to 95% of the U.S. population in two days or less. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 27, 2015

Amazon testing drive-through grocery store: report

At first many were surprised by Amazon’s push into grocery with Amazon Fresh, but it's a category that can help it challenge Wal-Mart and other retailers.

By Daphne Howland • July 27, 2015

Eyeing Amazon, Macy's to expand same-day delivery

With 886 stores ready to become mini distribution centers, the department store chain is set to compete with Amazon in the delivery space. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 23, 2015

Amazon expands Prime Now deliveries into the Midwest

Just a couple of days after its blockbuster “Prime Day” sale, the retailer expanded its one- and two-hour deliveries to Chicago and Indianapolis.

By Daphne Howland • July 20, 2015

Labor Dept. clarifies employment rules as issue comes under scrutiny

Disruptive startups, including retail same-day delivery companies, are relying on workers that in some cases should be classified as employees.

By Daphne Howland • July 17, 2015

Crowdfunding: Not just for Kickstarter anymore

There are numerous reasons why more retailers are choosing to use crowdfunding or pre-ordering when developing products, and it's not just about the money.

By Daphne Howland • July 16, 2015