The implications of shipping direct to consumer

On top of high costs, fast and free delivery expectations, and returns, brands also put customer retention at risk by forfeiting control over the last mile.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 16, 2020

Walmart adds 'pop-up' e-commerce distribution centers for the holidays

The model provides flexibility, allowing the retailer to increase capacity when it's experiencing peak-level volume and scale down when demand dissipates.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 13, 2020

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

Walmart taps self-driving vehicle startup Cruise for autonomous deliveries

The collaboration is part of the mass merchant's effort to modernize deliveries and lessen environmental impact.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 12, 2020

Nuro nets $500M in new funding

The autonomous delivery company is planning on a commercial rollout of its fully self-driving vehicle in the coming months. 

By Jeff Wells • Nov. 11, 2020

Delays, surcharges and returns: Holiday shipping headaches have just begun

In a season expected to produce more than $190 billion from online sales alone, retailers are pulling out all the stops to keep up with demand.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 9, 2020

Amazon releases Dash Smart Shelf for consumers, small businesses

The smart shelf reordering system was released last year to aid independent companies, but may be useful to individuals seeking to make fewer store trips.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 5, 2020

Walmart ends aisle-scanning robot contract

The retailer is no longer working with Bossa Nova Robotics, reversing course on plans to roll out the company's shelf-scanning machines to 1,000 stores.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 3, 2020

Sam's Club taps DoorDash for same-day prescription delivery

Retailers are increasingly relying on third-party delivery platforms as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 2, 2020

Last-mile tech firm Onfleet raises $14M as interest surges in delivery services

The company, which provides software to help retailers manage drivers and communications with customers, will use the funds to support expansion.

By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 2, 2020

Walmart launches new test stores to further blend tech and in-store ops

The prototype locations will allow the retailer to quickly experiment with ways to make fulfillment more efficient and move in-store inventory online. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 29, 2020

Postmates signals bigger retail ambitions with shopping service catered to local merchants

Debuting ahead of the holidays, a new "Shop" tab shows a selection of items that users can order for delivery, in-store pickup or curbside pickup.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 28, 2020

7-Eleven adds delivery providers as small-basket e-commerce accelerates

The c-store now works with seven third-party services, including Uber Eats and Grubhub, and has seen daily delivery orders quadruple this year.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 26, 2020

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

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 tests electric last-mile vans for consumer deliveries

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

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Feb. 3, 2021

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. 9, 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. 6, 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. 1, 2020