mcm-outlook

distribution center

Use of a 3PL A Small But Growing Option for Merchant Shippers

| Mike O'Brien

While there are many clear advantages to using a third-party fulfillment (3PL) partner for outsourcing some or all of your operations, the majority of merchant companies still opt for keeping these functions in house and firmly within their control. According to respondents to the MCM Outlook Survey, 26.5% of respondents said they use a 3PL in 2016, up from 21.2% in 2015, while the rest said they handle fulfillment internally. Of those who said no, only 2.9% said they are considering use of a 3PL, down from 6.2% in 2015.

omnichannel fulfillment

Ecommerce Return Rates Continue to Climb

| Mike O'Brien

Companies are grappling with higher ecommerce return rates, and how to address reverse logistics as well as capturing the maximum value of inbound goods. Find out the results of the MCM Outlook Survey on ecommerce returns, and what can be done to keep the growing rates in check.

omnichannel fulfillment

Amazon Effect Still a Major Driver in DTC, Ecommerce Operations

| Mike O'Brien

The Amazon effect is still having a major impact on DTC and ecommerce operations and fulfillment, judging by the results of the MCM Outlook Survey 2016. This impact is seen in the increasing frequency of same-day and next-day delivery offerings – and providers – as well as the growth in omnichannel operations, now seen as table stakes by many retailers. Find out more about the survey results and how they reflect industry trends.

Ecommerce Gets More Mobile Savvy

| Tim Parry

Multichannel Merchant’s MCM Outlook 2015 results show that 57.7% of retailers have an m-commerce site, and that’s up significantly from the nearly 40% who said they had one in 2014. Here’s what MCM Outlook 2015 uncovered about the world of ecommerce.

Catalogs Adapt to the New Omnichannel World

| Daniela Forte

Catalogs are alive and well for retailers in both the business-to-consumer and business-to-business sectors today. While catalogs may no longer be thought of as a selling channel, they are still considered an excellent marketing tool.

MCM Outlook 2014: The State of Operations

| Tim Parry

How are shippers preparing for Holiday 2014? What systems are they looking to add in the fulfillment center? And do merchants really think Amazon has little effect on their business? These questions and more are answered in Multichannel Merchant’s MCM Outlook 2014 report on Operations & Fulfillment.

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