ecommerce returns

Free Returns Still Drive Loyalty, Even As Thresholds Rise

| Mike O'Brien

Even as more retailers are increasing thresholds for free returns shipping in the face of massive volume and steadily rising costs, 79% of consumers said they’d be more likely to make a repeat purchase from those offering free returns or exchanges, according to a new survey from solution provider Loop. 75% said they expect retailers to make new product suggestions based on their purchase.

Teamsters Sean O'Brien before Congress feature

Looking At UPS-Teamster Scenarios

| Mike O'Brien

Can UPS and the Teamsters reach agreement in time? Should UPS meet the union’s demand for higher part-time worker pay, or leave its last offer on the table? Is there a joint realization that too much is at stake? And if it happens, how will other carriers pick up the slack? We discuss all this with Gaston Curk, CEO of postal consolidator OSM Worldwide in this MCM CommerceChat podcast.

USPS delivery vans

Experts Give New USPS Ground Service Thumbs Up

| Mike O'Brien

The U.S. Postal Service this week launched a new service called Ground Advantage that seeks to win back some of the parcel volume lost to FedEx and UPS when the major carriers insourced much of what they once handed to USPS Parcel Select Ground, which is being folded into the new offering.

ecommerce returns feature

Returns Challenges, Opportunities Covered in New Webinar

| Ian McRae

Always a thorny issue for retailers, returns has turned into quite the conundrum in 2023. New solutions are sprouting up every day, but the rising costs have ballooned. Meanwhile customer expectations around are rising, so where are we now? To help answer that question, we talk to Brian Kilcourse of Retail Systems Research, in this Multichannel Merchant webinar.

OriginBX logo feature cross-border commerce

OriginBX Data Standards Address Goods in Cross-Border Commerce

| Mike O'Brien

OriginBX, a nonprofit organization looking to standardize how detailed product data is shared for tax and trade compliance in cross-border commerce, including ways to ensure ethical sourcing by avoiding goods produced by forced labor, will soon publish version one of its standards. OriginBX’s initial standard will deal with digital sharing of product details in technology and electronics.

UPS stepvan feature

UPS, Teamsters Break Off Talks, Point Fingers

| Mike O'Brien

One ultimatum deadline between UPS and the Teamsters union was passed successfully on Friday, raising hopes of a contract settlement, but another one came and went today with prospects somewhat dimmed as the two sides cut off talks. Each party blamed the other for the breakdown, with three weeks left until the July 31 expiration of the current five-year agreement and pay the main sticking point.

Amazon hub delivery feature

Amazon Hub Delivery Gets Mostly Positive Marks from Experts

| Mike O'Brien

Logistics experts had mostly positive reactions to Amazon Hub Delivery, the company’s latest last-mile move which enlists local businesses to earn extra money by making nearby deliveries in their spare time. Amazon is hoping to have 2,300 businesses recruited by the end of 2023 as it builds scale. Most saw it as a more economical option than the DSP model, giving Amazon more control.

ReturnQueen porch pick feature

ReturnQueen Expands Concierge Service Nationwide

| Mike O'Brien

A new app-based returns solution called ReturnQueen, which provides a concierge-like service where consumers can pay a one-time, monthly or annual fee and leave multiple returned items from different retailers at their door to be picked up, has expanded nationwide and is launching a B2B offering. The partners have been in discussions with midsize and enterprise level retailers.

UPS driver feature

Teamsters Hand UPS a Friday Deadline for Final Offer

| Mike O'Brien

Stepping up its hardball tactics, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters walked away from the bargaining table Wednesday in the midst of contract negotiations with UPS, demanding the carrier provide its last, best offer Friday or a strike would be a likely outcome, with worker pay the key issue. UPS says it is working around the clock to reach a settlement before the July 31 deadline.