parcel shipping delivery scan

The Parcel Industry in the Age of Disruption

| Bill Knasinski

The situation in the parcel industry — high shipping rates, increased surcharges and shipping delays — is a convergence of many complex issues, including supply/demand imbalance, a rough economy and geopolitical woes. Let’s take a closer look at how ecommerce and government laws have disrupted supply chains. 

FedEx express truck

FedEx Warns Ahead of Q1, CEO Expects Recession

| Mike O'Brien

In a stunning move, FedEx said on Thursday a slowdown in volume worldwide contributed to a substantial Q1 revenue and income miss, and president and CEO Raj Subramanian told CNBC he believes a global recession is impending, as the company withdrew its fiscal 2023 forecast.

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Powering Up Your CPG Ecommerce

| Meagan Bowman

Nothing ever happens in isolation in the world of ecommerce. Yet even the largest CPG and distribution companies still rely on lag analytics and siloed information to get a handle on what’s being sold where, to whom and for how much. A more proactive approach, based on digital transformation, makes all the difference.

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Amazon Buys Belgian Robotics Firm Cloostermans

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon is acquiring Cloostermans, a private Belgian company dating back to 1884. The company makes robotic systems for moving heavy items like stacked pallets and totes to stage products for delivery. Amazon, a customer for some time, will further enhance the technology and likely take it off the market. Terms were not disclosed.

Accel Club team feature

Amazon Aggregators: One Player’s View on the Shifting Space

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon aggregators have become much more selective with brand acquisition and they’re watching the bottom line, while forming alliances with non-Amazon marketplaces. They’re also affected by inflation and consumer spending. Max Firsau, co-founder of Accel Club, shares his thoughts about the space and explains his model.

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Amazon Testing Pricier UPS Option for 3P Seller Returns

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon is testing a program that will require sellers who fulfill their own returns to offer UPS as a return shipping option for customers, in addition to the less expensive U.S. Postal Service they had been using exclusively. The test will run Sept. 5-Oct. 2 in order to “understand buyer behavior,” Amazon said. Naturally, sellers are not amused.

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Amazon Lists First-Time FBA Peak Surcharge

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon is jumping on the peak surcharge bandwagon for the first time, asking sellers using its Fulfillment By Amazon service to pay 35 cents more per item for goods sold in the U.S. and Canada, running from Oct. 15 to Jan. 14, according to CNBC. This follows peak fee announcements from both FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service.

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Amazon, iRobot and the Smart Home Data Play

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon has purchased iRobot, naturally raising some privacy concerns about the use of consumer data in combination from Roomba, Alexa and Ring devices. It also fits in nicely with Amazon’s bigger ambition to own the smart home market. Jason Boyce, founder and CEO of Avenue7Media, discusses this as well as antitrust concerns.

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Facebook Shutting Down Livestream Shopping Oct. 1

| Mike O'Brien

Facebook is shutting down its livestream shopping venture two years in, putting its efforts behind the popular Reels short-form video platform as livestream shopping has yet to catch on here in a big way as in China, and retailers, brands and platforms need to rethink their approach. Experts weigh in on what they need to do.

Amazon 3P seller Warehouse Republic team feature

Warehouse Republic: From Amazon 3P Seller to 3PL

| Mike O'Brien

Racking up long-term storage fees on FBA led to the creation of 3PL startup, Warehouse Republic. With a natural focus on Amazon 3P sellers, the company now operates facilities in Ontario, CA and Reedsville, NC, and is eyeing the Dallas-Fort Worth area next. Learn about founder Mark Taylor’s opportunistic journey from 3P seller to 3PL.