Walmart will fine suppliers for late, early deliveries in push for inventory control

The new rule may have unintended consequences at Walmart's loading docks, however, as carriers will lose a time-based risk buffer to account for traffic, weather and hours-of-service delays.

By Jennifer McKevitt • July 12, 2017

In-store pickup is the 'cure for the store'

Store pickup of online orders can drive foot traffic, but retailers need dedicated staff and incentives, according to JDA’s Consumer Pulse Survey.

By Daphne Howland • July 12, 2017

Prime Day: A test-run for peak season logistics

Amazon's customers expect items to show up on doorsteps only a few days after purchase, but that's only if truckers can get them to Amazon's fulfillment centers first.

By Kate Patrick Macri • July 12, 2017

New tools from Salesforce to help retailers manage their field forces

As retailers increasingly put their own employees in the field to provide on-site support services for customers, Salesforce has come up with tools to help them.

By Dan O'Shea • July 12, 2017

The latest UPS innovation to hit the road? A golf cart

A new law in Kentucky posits that if packages can arrive by flying drone, then why not by golf cart? 

By Dan O'Shea • June 29, 2017

Target opens next-day delivery pilot to Minneapolis shoppers

After a brief month and a half trial period with employees, the big-box retailer is rolling out its household essential delivery service in what is seen as a challenge to Amazon's Prime Pantry program.

By Dan O'Shea • June 27, 2017

Survey: Retailers struggle to keep up with demand for hyperlocal delivery

The age of Amazon Prime has retailers bringing faster options and greater flexibility to delivery, but new data show they're not doing it fast enough.

By Dan O'Shea • June 26, 2017

Amazon files patent for drone delivery 'beehive' fulfillment center

Following up on its patent for fulfillment blimps, Amazon has filed to patent another crazy idea — a vertical fulfillment center to support drone delivery in urban settings.

By Dan O'Shea • June 25, 2017

Etsy to cut staff by 22% in 2017 amid turnaround

The online artisan marketplace announced a second round of layoffs for the summer as the company tries to contend with Amazon's rival craft marketplace.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 22, 2017

6 ways the Amazon-Whole Foods deal could impact the grocery industry

Analysts say retailers can expect more pricing pressure, consolidation and higher consumer expectations for online shopping and delivery.  

By Jeff Wells • June 22, 2017

Transform your supply chain into a supply value ecosystem

The backbone of great, consistent customer experiences are efficient back-end operations, putting the supply chain front and center.

June 21, 2017

UPS to roll out peak shipping surcharges for the holidays

The surcharges underscore the high cost of holiday digital sales and the importance of careful logistics, including using minimal packaging for deliveries.

By Daphne Howland • June 20, 2017

Hubba launches group discussion forums for retailers, brands

Small merchants can trade learnings and share advice through new Hubba Group discussion forums on a variety of retail topics.

By Dan O'Shea • June 20, 2017

Walmart CFO Biggs touts retailer's e-commerce build-up

Walmart's Jet buy is already bearing fruit, and serving as a test lab of sorts as the retailer grows e-commerce. 

By Dan O'Shea • June 19, 2017

Warehouses to remain scarce and expensive despite new construction

Retailers may experience “sticker shock” as they attempt to expand e-commerce logistics or renew industrial leases.

By Daphne Howland • June 15, 2017

Is Walmart's new last-mile delivery program brilliant — or a disaster in the making?

The Uber-like program will have store associates delivering packages on their way home from work. Will it work for Walmart?

By Laura Heller • June 14, 2017

How package fulfillment impacts supply chain costs

Companies are experimenting with ways to lower supply chain costs.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 9, 2017

The real cost of e-commerce logistics

Two-day delivery and free shipping may be the new norm, but it's hardly a minor cost for retailers.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 8, 2017

UPS: Online shoppers expanding habits in mobile, ship-to-store

More shoppers are buying at online marketplaces and becoming more accustomed to buying on mobile apps, according to the sixth annual "Pulse of the Online Shopper" study.

By Dan O'Shea • June 7, 2017

Report: Returns are now a routine part of shopping

Returns are up, with online shoppers in particular using their homes as fitting rooms and ordering many items they don't intend to buy. 

By Daphne Howland • June 6, 2017

RILA: 'Fast or Free' delivery escalating supply chain costs

As retail fulfillment gets more expensive, it’s also getting harder to minimize costs, according to the latest Retail Supply Chain report from RILA. 

By Daphne Howland • June 6, 2017

Wal-Mart store workers now delivering packages

The brick-and-mortar giant is leveraging stores and making the task voluntary for workers to make more money.

By Daphne Howland • June 2, 2017

Amazon adds robots, 2K jobs to new Houston warehouse

Robots and humans will collaborate at the new facility to satisfy increasing demand for the Seattle behemoths' myriad products.

By Jennifer McKevitt • June 2, 2017

Wal-Mart seeks to patent blockchain-based drone tracking system

The big-box retailer is eyeing another use of the secure digital ledger technology, which would track, register and authenticate items of the payload moving through a supply chain.

By Dan O'Shea • May 31, 2017

Fitch: E-commerce fulfillment, retail locations are converging

Shopping centers have long been evaluated on demographic measures like population density and income, and e-commerce distribution centers should be similarly considered, according to Fitch Ratings. 

By Daphne Howland • May 31, 2017