Is Amazon trying to get into diapers again?

Amazon pulled its private-label “Amazon Elements Soft and Cozy” diapers last year after less than two months on the market.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2016

Freight airline's expansion said to be tied to Amazon

There are many signs that Amazon is getting serious about striking out on its own in the freight business, by land, air, and even sea.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 11, 2016

With an eye on China, Amazon reportedly forging global delivery business

The company's ambitions for worldwide delivery, first indicated by its registration as an ocean freight forwarder, is detailed in a 2013 Amazon memo obtained by Bloomberg.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 10, 2016

Japanese cosmetics maker taps robots to boost production while lowering costs

A new distribution center in Osaka will help Shiseido Co. increase output by 50%, yet lower costs, the company says.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 9, 2016

Burberry looks to bridge the gap between fashion and commerce

While high fashion retailers have largely avoided making much of a segue from their catwalk shows to commerce, that appears to be changing.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 8, 2016

Former big box stores find new life in storage, fulfillment

Several retailers nationwide are abandoning the big-box format to open more smaller stores in urban areas.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 8, 2016

The leverage, and limits, of American Apparel's 'made in the USA'

Analysts and CEO Paula Schneider say the retailer’s domestic manufacturing is an important differentiator. The challenge to is make clothes that people want to buy.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 4, 2016

Fire erupts at H&M, J.C. Penney factory in Bangladesh

The early morning fire shows that not much has improved since 2013’s deadly Rana Plaza collapse, worker advocates say.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 4, 2016

In-store pickup gaining traction with US shoppers

The fulfillment option is slowly winning acceptance from consumers.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 3, 2016

Lumber Liquidators to pay $13M fine for illegal wood imports

But the retailer still faces several federal lawsuits dealing with charges that its flooring contains excessive levels of formaldehyde.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 2, 2016

Amazon's latest filing suggests future shipping plans

While the e-retail giant is likely building its capacity to serve its own needs, it could become a logical line of business for Amazon, akin to its cloud services.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 1, 2016

New York City area ports reopen after nine-hour work stoppage

The labor walkout came after a winter storm that also shut down operations there for two days.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 1, 2016

WSJ: Omnichannel fulfillment costs rising as e-commerce grows

Brick-and-mortar retailers are ramping up their ability to compete with e-commerce and please consumers that increasingly want to be able to shop across channels, and that’s hitting margins.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 29, 2016

Uber set to expand rush delivery service for retailers

The rideshare giant's API will soon integrate with retail sites. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 29, 2016

Inside three retail innovation labs

Take a peek at what’s incubating at Sephora, Kohl’s, and Sears’ test hubs.  

By Barbara Thau • Jan. 28, 2016

Pressured by Amazon, more retailers rush for speedy deliveries

While more online retailers are offering expedited same-day delivery, consumers still remain unwilling to pay much for the service. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2016

Major U.S. trucking companies not worried about Amazon

Swift Transportation and Covenant Transportation, the country’s largest trucking companies, dismissed the idea that Amazon’s own trucking operations would hurt business, saying there’s plenty of demand to go around.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2016

Report: In-store pickup a growing share of online sales

Almost a third of Sam's Club's e-commerce sales are picked up in-store.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 26, 2016

Is there ever a perfect storm for retailers?

Retailers increasingly have the ability to make weather forecasting work for them—helping them respond to extreme events like the recent winter storm Jonas.  

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2016

Report: Returns can (sometimes) lead to sales

How lenient to be about returns is a complex question, and retailers may want to consider different policies depending on the situation.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2016

Amazon touts job creation record amid assertive moves in Europe

Sainsbury’s bid for Home Retail, owner of retail goods chain Argos, is seen as a response to increased competition in Europe from the American e-retail giant.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2016

Amazon in court over Prime Now drivers' working conditions

The drivers say they’re being treated as employees because of the strict requirements of where and when they work.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 20, 2016

Report predicts physical stores will morph into e-commerce showrooms

The model, already used by menswear retailer Bonobos and others, will become more prevalent within 10 years, according to IBM’s Retail 2025 report, due out in February.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 19, 2016

Retailers beware: Shipping rates from major shippers set to rise

Dimensional pricing and increased rates from the major shippers mean that retailers have to be smarter about their logistics.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 15, 2016

Amazon's latest delivery experiment: Bicycles

The pilot in India’s most crowded metro areas is part and parcel of Amazon’s penchant for exploring every delivery means possible to improve logistics at the lowest possible cost.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 15, 2016