Retailers hail West Coast ports agreement

After an agreement was reached late Friday, Saturday night saw the first shift of dockworkers working full time in full force.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 23, 2015

Ikea finalizes plans for Midwest hub

The 72-acre distribution center will serve Ikea stores as well as the retailer's growing e-commerce business.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 20, 2015

How to launch in-store pickup that goes beyond 'grab and go'

The goal is to know what your customers want, and cater to those needs. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 19, 2015

Curbside partners with Best Buy

The same-day pickup app is expanding its user base and product mix.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 19, 2015

Amazon's one-hour delivery expands

The Prime Now service is now available throughout Manhattan.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 18, 2015

Ace Hardware testing same-day delivery

The Express Delivery pilot program is being tested at 33 stores in six different states.

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 18, 2015

Urban Outfitters returns distribution to Pennsylvania

The retailer is building a state-of-the-art facility that will support “strong direct-to-consumer growth for many years to come.”

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 18, 2015

Apple working on store redesign

The changes are partly attributed to the company’s Watch launch, according to a profile of Apple designer Jony Ive.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 18, 2015

Can Jet.com get liftoff?

The e-commerce startup by Quidsi entrepreneur Marc Lore could bring a new dimension to online shopping.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2015

Proposed FAA rules complicate Amazon drone delivery plans

The rules released Sunday include a requirement that a drone operator be in the aircraft's line of sight.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2015

West Coast ports shut down

Shippers say workers have slowed things down so much that they don’t want to pay them, as the union emphasizes that workers are not on strike.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 12, 2015

Shipping club members impatient over late orders

More than a third of members, some with Amazon Prime and many with free trial memberships, say they may not renew.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 12, 2015

West Coast port shutdown could cost retailers billions

With a real stoppage looming, analysts say retailers could lose up to $7 billion.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 10, 2015

USPS sees holiday revenue jump thanks to e-commerce

Postal Service still operates at a loss, but e-commerce is adding shipments. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 9, 2015

Gas prices see first increase since June

The price of fuel is still down, but the free-fall may be over—and with it, any benefit to retailers.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 9, 2015

Alibaba testing drone deliveries in China

The three-day, three-city trial is bringing boxes of tea to consumer residences. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 5, 2015

West Coast ports could slow to a halt within a week

The longshore workers union has slowed work at the ports, which could effectively lead to a stoppage, according to shippers.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 5, 2015

Amazon launches campus operations

The e-retailer has co-branded websites with the University of Massachusetts and Purdue University, and its first staffed location at Purdue for pickup and dropoff.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 4, 2015

Adidas unveils mobile sneaker reservation app

Adidas Confirmed was developed to take the hassle out of buying the brand's "hype" kicks using geopositioning technology.

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 4, 2015

Weather the storm? How the elements impact retail sales

Does the weather have the kind of dire impact on sales many retailers think it does?

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 29, 2015

Nationwide retail returns peaked the day after Christmas

Retailers were busiest with returns at 2:15 p.m. Dec. 26, according to the Retail Equation.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2015

Going small is getting big: The rise of small format stores

As demographics change and urban centers thrive, more big box stores are scaling down.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2015

Macy's to boost California fulfillment center

An aggressive omnichannel strategy has helped the department store chain compete with traditional and online-only retailers. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 25, 2015

Instacart partners with Petco for same-day delivery

For people with pets, this is another way to get an errand done and care for their little friends. For Instacart, it’s a win in the on-going delivery wars.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2015

Amazon in need of diaper change

Amazon pulled its diaper line less than two months after launch after receiving only mediocre reviews from customers.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2015