Demand for e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment continues to grow. According to Digital Commerce 360, U.S. e-commerce sales increased again in 2021, up 14% year-over-year (YoY), and by more than 50% compared to 2019. Many top retailers rolled out more versatile fulfillment to better serve customers, embracing gig economy couriers to offer same-day and two-hour delivery […]
The unprecedented cargo logjams off the southern California coast wreaking havoc on supply chains show no signs of waning. Just two days before Thanksgiving, FreightWaves reported an “all-time-high 93 ships” were waiting there. Workforce shortages and other challenges abound throughout all transportation sectors, and while this may revitalize investments in localized manufacturing, expanded warehousing to […]
E-commerce sales have continued to soar in 2021. The National Retail Federation projects 2021 non-store and online sales will grow 18-23 percent to $1.09-1.13 trillion, and many retailers should expect significantly more e-commerce orders during peak season. With the carrier capacity crunch and other challenges looming large, seamlessly fulfilling all those orders will be no easy task for many merchants.
The gig economy and its on-demand armies of drivers have moved people and food for years, but many retailers still hesitate to tap into Uber, Postmates and other companies to quickly move orders from stores to local customers’ doorsteps. Look for this hesitancy to decline as more retailers continue to join the likes of Target […]
All around, 2020 lessons learned are fueling improvements in this new year. Record-setting speed of medical innovation delivered multiple COVID-19 vaccines in less than a year. Schools that sat dormant for nine-months are better equipped to safely welcome students back for in-person learning. Fulfillment professionals also made great strides in 2020, driven by necessity, and […]
The exponential growth of e-commerce in 2020 has brought peak-like levels of order volume for many retailers since as early as March. Looking to the quickly approaching actual peak season, volumes are predicted to hit unprecedented levels, and carriers have been warning shippers for months to expect capacity crunches, increased surcharges/fees and other challenges. Shippers must […]
Most companies are familiar with the federal, state and local rules and regulations established by departments of transportation for outbound HAZMAT shipments. HAZMAT returns, on the other hand, introduce a new and much less reliable player into the game: the consumer. When a consumer needs to return items that qualify as HAZMAT, they must follow the same established rules and regulations – and those rules and regulations must be provided by the retailer accepting the return shipment.
By February, omnichannel retailers were responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, closing stores and factories in China, and reallocating inventory to still-active markets to mitigate the pandemic’s initial impact. Changes of this magnitude and nature do not come easily for most retailers, but those with truly integrated omnichannel systems can see, project demand for and […]
As e-commerce returns volume continues to skyrocket alongside continued growth of online shopping, top shippers are challenging the notion of returns as a cost of doing business they must accept. In some cases, in fact, a lot can be done to counter the growth of returns from an operational perspective, and many of the world’s […]
By the end of October 2019, with or without an agreement, Brexit will have a major impact on cross-border shipping. Businesses that haven’t already prepared should start by better understanding the specific nature and extent of the looming changes. By proactively addressing potential challenges to shipping operations brought on by Brexit, businesses can work to […]
Interest in adding a TMS for parcel continues to rise among shippers as the multifaceted ROI of a parcel TMS becomes better understood. While a TMS for parcel can help shippers better manage rapid increases in parcel volume, it can also help manufacturers and other new parcel shippers instantly adapt to provide excellent customer service […]
Shippers need to consider add-on or accessorial carrier fees, not just base rates, to control shipping costs without sacrificing service. Still, downplaying the importance of keeping regular tabs on those base rates can wreak havoc on a shipper’s costs; they remain an incredibly important part of the equation. As they struggle to control their shipping costs and retain razor-thin margins, many retailers today feel like they’re at the mercy of carriers, which are commanding record-high rates for their services. This article offers practical advice on getting good service at a lower cost.
In markets with unpredictable logistics questions, automation can help businesses find the answer Companies are leaping head first into new markets, looking to cash in on the lucrative omni-channel opportunities unlocked by the global expansion of e-commerce. Yet as they race to add customers, build sales and boost revenues abroad, many companies are putting potential […]
