The accidental discovery of 'lean retail'

A small record store chain started looking at customer behavior, not sales, to shape its inventory needs. The geek that figured it out has now started a tech company so that other retailers can benefit.

By Daphne Howland • March 30, 2015

Same-day delivery: Small niche or big disruption?

More than 40 years ago, FedEx disrupted delivery. Are today’s crowd-sourced same-day services about to disrupt FedEx?

By Daphne Howland • March 27, 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

Amazon says FAA-approved drone 'already obsolete'

But while the company also says it’s flying freer in Europe due to less restriction, the real picture there is more complicated.

By Daphne Howland • March 25, 2015

Zulily upends its supply chain model

The flash-sales e-retailer has found that not having inventory on hand—a key part of its business model—is doing more harm than good.

By Daphne Howland • March 24, 2015

FAA gives Amazon the go-ahead to test drones

The agency has been slow in releasing rules for commercial use of remote-controlled aircraft. This is a small breakthrough for Amazon, but hardly approval of its drone program.

By Daphne Howland • March 20, 2015

UPDATE: Amazon expands one-hour delivery

While only available in select zip codes in Baltimore, Miami, and Dallas for now, Amazon has plans to expand the service rapidly. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • March 19, 2015

Target opens up its returns window to attract shoppers

Despite cost-cutting measures elsewhere, the retailer seems to be trying to please customers by allowing a year for returns on many items.

By Daphne Howland • March 19, 2015

Wholesale inventories up as sales slow

The findings by the U.S. Commerce Department could be the result of bad weather and ongoing inventory backlogs at West Coast ports.

By Daphne Howland • March 11, 2015

Royal Mail to open on Alibaba's Tmall

The postal service of the United Kingdom aims to provide logistics to British retailers selling on the Chinese marketplace.

By Daphne Howland • March 11, 2015

Logistics company Amber Road buys sourcing specialist

The combination of the two SaaS firms will help supply manufacturers source multiple lines at different price points. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 10, 2015

Deliv hires former eBay product exec

The hire of eBay's VP of product Kenny Pate comes as same-day delivery startup Deliv continues to expand.

By Daphne Howland • March 9, 2015

UPS rolls out new campaign aimed at e-commerce

New ads will emphasize an expanding variety of delivery and logistic solutions for retailers. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 8, 2015

Shipping startup Shyp sharpens returns feature

The first-mile shipping startup noticed that many customers were using its services for returns, and has responded with an app for that.

By Daphne Howland • March 5, 2015

What retailers can learn from past same-day delivery flops

These days retailers are working hard to deliver orders cheaply and in record time. Retail Dive talked with Kozmo.com's former CTO to see how they can accomplish this goal while avoiding failure. 

By Daphne Howland • March 3, 2015

Victoria's Secret flies above port problems

The retailer's use of air freight has helped it escape issues resulting from West Coast port backlogs.

By Daphne Howland • March 2, 2015

6 drone-free solutions speeding up deliveries

E-commerce and logistics providers are testing numerous ways to help consumers get their goods faster than ever before.

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 26, 2015

Epicor buys Insite's shipping software

The longtime partners offer software to aid in shipping and fulfillment. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 25, 2015

West Coast ports slowdown hits Macy's Q4 sales

The retailer also announced it will invest heavily in the development off-price stores.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 25, 2015

Agreement reached in West Coast ports dispute: Now what?

On Friday, dock workers and shippers finally reached a tentative compromise. Now it's time to tackle the backlog. 

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 23, 2015

Target raises the bar with new free shipping minimum

By lowering its free shipping threshold to $25, Target now has the upper hand on Amazon and Wal-Mart. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • Feb. 23, 2015

Delivery startup Postmates snags $35M in funding

The on-demand delivery space continues to see expansion and competition, and Postmates is expanding rapidly.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 23, 2015

Retailers hail West Coast ports agreement

After an agreement was reached late Friday, Saturday night saw the first shift of dockworkers working full time in full force.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 23, 2015

Ikea finalizes plans for Midwest hub

The 72-acre distribution center will serve Ikea stores as well as the retailer's growing e-commerce business.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 20, 2015

How to launch in-store pickup that goes beyond 'grab and go'

The goal is to know what your customers want, and cater to those needs. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 19, 2015

Curbside partners with Best Buy

The same-day pickup app is expanding its user base and product mix.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 19, 2015