Logistics

Macy's introduces virtual, in-person stylist appointments for the holidays

Gifting experts will be available to help shoppers in a year where many events have gone virtual, including the department store's iconic parade.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 23, 2020

Retailers face operational, logistical hurdles in pandemic-driven switch to ship from store

Companies scrambled to change their fulfillment operations as open stores figured out ways to get their inventory to online shoppers.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 21, 2020

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Retail supply chain

Retail Supply Chain trendline

By Retail Dive staff

FedEx, Happy Returns partner on 'return bars,' streamline reverse logistics

Happy Returns has quadrupled its number of drop off locations with the addition of more than 2,000 FedEx Office locations.

By A.B. Brown • Oct. 21, 2020

Study: Over one-third of shoppers experience 'substantial' shipping delays

Making the delivery and returns process more convenient could help retailers win customer loyalty, according to a report from Narvar.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 19, 2020

Nordstrom expands online order pickup to Rack stores

The retailer will offer fulfillment services at its off-price stores and hire 22,000 holiday staffers ahead of a season expected to be more online than ever.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 19, 2020

US, EU apparel buyers canceled $16B in orders in the spring: report

Apparel buyers' response to steep demand drops in the spring stoked concerns about the future of people and entities in apparel-producing countries.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 19, 2020

Asos lays out 'flexible fulfillment' plan to bolster in-stock status

Varied levels of product flow and warehouse automation created different customer experiences in the U.K. and the U.S. The new plan could change that.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 16, 2020

Belk to offer same-day delivery

Following layoffs earlier this summer, the 133-year-old retailer is introducing a delivery option to meet the needs of its customer base.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 16, 2020

Holiday sales growth won't reach 2% this year, CBRE says

E-commerce could surge more than 40%, however, eclipsing last season's record 14% year-over-year rise, according to a report from the real estate firm.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 12, 2020

Amazon to deploy 10K electric last-mile vans en route to net-zero carbon

Electrification is key to Amazon's Climate Pledge to reach net-zero carbon in its own operations by 2040.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 12, 2020

Sam's Club adds 2K permanent supply chain workers, launches ship-from-store for peak

The company expects approximately one-fifth of online orders to ship from Sam's Club locations.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 09, 2020

Adidas coaches its suppliers in the sustainability marathon

The sportswear brand applies the 80/20 rule to reducing emissions with a focus on strategic tier 1 and 2 suppliers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 06, 2020

Save Mart deploys sidewalk robots for delivery

Traveling at a speed of four miles an hour and carrying up to 20 pounds of groceries, the small bots are based at the grocer's flagship store in California.

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 01, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond partners with Instacart, Shipt for same-day delivery

The service comes as the company preps for the holiday season and as retailers balance shopping convenience with safety.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 01, 2020

Is Costco's winning streak at risk without curbside pickup?

Retailers leaned on the fulfillment service when the pandemic hit. Eight experts discuss the future implications for the club retailer.

By Caroline Jansen • Sept. 30, 2020

Sephora enlists Instacart for same-day delivery

The beauty retailer joins others in harnessing the delivery platform's network to help with fulfillment.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 29, 2020

Sponsored by Metapack

Supply chain agility is the key for e-commerce brands aiming to scale the holiday peak season

Here are three ways to maximize the post-buy-button experience to foster customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Target to double holiday staffing for same-day services

The retailer said that 10 million new customers shopped its website and demand for its same-day fulfillment options quadrupled in the first half of 2020.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 25, 2020

Walmart hiring 20K in e-commerce ops for the holidays

The retailer is gearing up for an online-heavy season as it also boosts categories in demand amid the pandemic. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 24, 2020

Predictive analytics determine what's in stock at Nike's new Los Angeles warehouse

The company maintains that direct-to-consumer distribution is its future, which is reflected in its warehousing investments.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 24, 2020

Sponsored by Square

How to handle increased customer demand as you reopen

Planning for a surge in demand? These tips can help you control exactly when and where customers buy from you. 

By Kira Deutch, Editor at Square • Sept. 23, 2020

Lowe's to add pickup lockers to most metro areas by Thanksgiving

The fulfillment tech comes after the home improvement retailer reported a 135% year-over-year surge in website sales during the second quarter.

By Caroline Jansen • Sept. 22, 2020

Half of holiday shoppers plan to use curbside or contactless pickup: survey

The pandemic has boosted BOPIS offerings, especially as retailers highlight pickup as a safe alternative to in-store shopping.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 22, 2020

Sponsored by Kalypso

New research: 4 post-pandemic scenarios for the future of retail

How will retail evolve over the next 5 years? This report outlines the capabilities and tech most likely to drive success in an uncertain future.

By Kelly Kornet, Jackie Collins, Danny Oviedo • Sept. 21, 2020

Dressbarn to offer contactless returns

Now that it's based online, the retailer aims to provide customers with an in-person option via its new partner, Happy Returns. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 16, 2020