Imports reach 5-year low as COVID-19 hits demand and supply

Inbound containers fell more than 21% in March, per NRF estimates, as the pandemic disrupted manufacturing in China and closed stores in the U.S.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 8, 2020

At Home to offer contactless delivery

The service offering comes as retailers shift to delivery amid coronavirus containment measures. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 2, 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

7-Eleven offers free delivery for app users

A contactless delivery option is available for consumers taking advantage of the temporarily waived fees during the coronavirus pandemic.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 31, 2020

The unsung customer-loyalty hero? The post-purchase experience

See how brands can re-imagine the post-purchase experience to create loyal customers globally.

March 27, 2020

Walmart, Sam's Club offer rent relief to in-store tenants

The corporation is also moving to pay suppliers faster as supply chains feel the impact of COVID-19.

By Daphne Howland • March 26, 2020

The apparel industry had an inventory problem before coronavirus. What now?

Universal recommendations are hard to come by for "nonessential" retailers and wholesalers. But some trends are starting to surface.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 26, 2020

AxleHire introduces no-touch tech for delivery signings

The move comes as consumers practice social distancing and shift to online shopping.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 24, 2020

E-commerce pulls back amid pandemic precautions

It seems like digital sales should benefit retailers during a global disease outbreak. For many, health and safety concerns extend to those operations too.

By Daphne Howland • March 20, 2020

Costco brings big and bulky delivery in-house with $1B acquisition

The retailer has contracted out some deliveries to Innovel since 2015. But as its main client, Sears, began to decline, Costco saw an opportunity. 

By Morgan Forde • March 18, 2020

Amazon hires 100K, opens 75K additional roles as COVID-19 surges demand

E-commerce has boomed as consumers worldwide practice social distancing and self-quarantining, leading e-tailers to amp up their supply chains to cope.

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated April 13, 2020

What 5 retail industry leaders are saying about coronavirus

While it's still not clear the total impact COVID-19 will have on retail, industry leaders met to talk about solutions and potential fallout in the sector. 

By Kaarin Moore • March 13, 2020

What tech and metrics do you need for omnichannel?

A modern order management system will have most of the data needed to measure success. However, some operations will require more creativity.

By Matt Leonard • March 12, 2020

Costco: It could take weeks to reach routine supply chain operations

The COVID-19 outbreak is impacting multiple parts of the retailer's supply chain, not just its procurement and in-store operations.

By Matt Leonard • March 9, 2020

Target's tech for store-based fulfillment operations is ready to scale

Machine learning and robotics will allow the retailer to fulfill digital orders from stores and avoid stockouts, executives detailed in an investor presentation.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 5, 2020

Amazon launches faster same-day delivery with mini-fulfillment centers

The new centers will enable fulfillment, sortation and delivery under one roof, allowing Amazon to bypass the traditional middle mile journey.

By S.L. Fuller • March 4, 2020

J.C. Penney expands curbside pickup to 50 more stores

The struggling retailer is introducing its Style to Go service to additional locations as part of its "plan for renewal." 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 3, 2020

Virginia legislature clears way for Amazon delivery robots

The legislature approved a bill that would allow electric personal delivery robots of up to 500 pounds to operate on sidewalks and road shoulders.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 27, 2020

Walmart launches fulfillment service for third-party marketplace sellers

According to top executives, fulfillment services are as much about driving in-demand products to Walmart.com as they are about driving revenue. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 26, 2020

Adidas, Ikea lead on sustainable cotton sourcing

The athletic retailer knocked H&M down from the top spot, according to the latest Sustainable Cotton Ranking, which looked at a group of 77 firms.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 24, 2020

Banana Republic introduces Postmates delivery option

As Amazon fuels consumers' appetites for fast and free shipping, retailers are looking for ways to ramp up their own fulfillment capabilities.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 21, 2020

Gap latest retailer to partner with ThredUp

The struggling retailer will give customers credit for used clothing it collects at select stores, at a time when its brands could use more foot traffic. 

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 21, 2020

Mattel to reduce SKUs 30% by the end of the year

Simplifying its supply chain, which included factory closures and predictive algorithms for forecasting, resulted in $797 million in 2019 cost savings.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 19, 2020

Rent the Runway taps former Amazon exec as chief supply chain officer

Brian Donato previously worked at the e-commerce giant in operational roles related to returns and fulfillment. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 14, 2020

Stitch Fix officially launches 'Shop Your Looks'

The algorithm-led feature allows customers to choose items that go with pieces they already own, rather than leaving that to their stylist.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 13, 2020

87% of US businesses in China expect coronavirus to impact revenue

Companies ranging from Apple suppliers to Nissan have announced plans to temporarily pause production as a result of the virus outbreak.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 11, 2020