Unboxing the holiday shipping race

For big brick-and-mortar retailers, shipping discounts are an easier cost to rationalize, but digitally focused companies can have a tougher time matching promotions.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 7, 2018

Treasury report calls for USPS overhaul

The report, generated by the Task Force on the United States Postal System, recommends rate hikes in several categories, with a focus on package delivery.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 6, 2018

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

Half of the apparel sold at the holidays is about to be returned

Retail analysts call the problem of returns a "ticking time bomb" for the new year. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 6, 2018

CEO of Parcel, Walmart's grocery delivery arm in NYC, departs

Jesse Kaplan's departure could deal a blow to the retailer's efforts to gain inroads in the Big Apple through its Jet.com business, Bloomberg writes.

By Jessica Dumont • Nov. 30, 2018

Shoppers turn to BOPIS to reduce holiday stress

A study by GPShopper reveals that 67% of consumers want to try buy online, pick-up in-store options this season.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 29, 2018

Omnichannel is the real Thanksgiving retail winner

The number of shoppers making purchases both in person and online was up nearly 40% from last year's Black Friday to Cyber Monday season. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 28, 2018

Home Depot's 'year of the pilot' spurs new facilities, 2-day delivery

In a new initiative, the retailer developed a "dynamic ETA" for more exact delivery dates based on zip codes.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 19, 2018

Walmart exploring delivery via driverless vehicle

The retail giant is teaming with Ford and Postmates to inch a little closer to the concept of a driverless vehicle delivering groceries to customer homes.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 15, 2018

Amazon to build supply chain hub in Nashville

The tech giant said it would build an Operations Center of Excellence in the Tennessee capital, in addition to new headquarters in New York City and Northern Virginia.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 14, 2018

Nordstrom taps cloud platform to streamline wholesale buying

The retailer's partnership with NuOrder aims to improve the wholesale and assortment selection process.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 7, 2018

Amazon adds Prime Business members to new delivery option

The service allows shoppers to specify a day for packages to be delivered, which the e-commerce giant says is more convenient and sustainable —but could also help slash its shipping costs.

By Daphne Howland • Updated March 19, 2019

Adidas powers ComplexCon sneaker drop with AR

Convention attendees could point their smartphone at special signs to activate the sale and pick up their shoes at designated lockers.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 5, 2018

Amazon expands free holiday shipping to non-Prime members

The e-tailer may be feeling pressure from brick-and-mortar rivals like Target and Walmart, which have launched free shipping deals for the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Updated Dec. 18, 2018

Holiday returns are on the horizon….what's your strategy?

As the holidays bring an increase in expected returns, retailers may be smart to look towards liquidation as a channel to offset loss.

Nov. 5, 2018

Which apparel players have the fastest lead times?

Retailers who develop their own clothing lines are the lightest on their feet getting new product to market, according to an executive survey. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 29, 2018

Proposed postal rates could cost Amazon $1B

The e-commerce giant still relies heavily upon USPS for last-mile deliveries, and a rate increase could add up to big bucks. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 26, 2018

Sears owes these 7 suppliers — and many more — millions in payments

Vendors are reacting to Sears' bankruptcy filing through court motions, lawsuits and withholding of inventory, all of which could determine the fate of the floundering retailer.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 25, 2018

Outdoor retailers put down roots in used goods

The North Face Renewed is one of the most recent refurbished goods programs to try to make new life out of used products, but the secondary market is taking off — and not just outdoors.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 24, 2018

Retailers flummoxed about how to handle 'serial returners'

Amazon's new lifetime ban policy is tempting other retailers to follow, but consumers, especially younger ones, don't like the idea.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 22, 2018

Sam's Club expands same-day delivery to over half of stores

The expansion via Instacart will touch at least 100 new stores and 90 new markets by the end of this month. 

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 18, 2018

USPS proposes raising parcel delivery prices

The Postal Service says increased rates would help keep it competitive and bring in much needed revenue.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 12, 2018

RFID can achieve near 100% order accuracy, study says

"We can end claims and chargebacks right now," said Justin Patton, director of Auburn University's RFID Lab. "That's billions of dollars saved."

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 12, 2018

Looming Sears bankruptcy promises plenty of drama

CEO Eddie Lampert's many roles around the retailer would likely complicate a bankruptcy case — the potential and outcome of which are still up in the air. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 11, 2018

Tariffs are not slowing down retail imports

As retailers struggle to change their sourcing, imports continue to rise to meet consumer demand. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 10, 2018

Tis the season…for holiday returns

With the holiday season underway, learn how your returns can become a strategic asset rather than a dreaded post-holiday afterthought.

Oct. 9, 2018