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. 

Marketplaces Give Brands a Greater Shot at DTC Success

| Daniel Sugarman

Brands are challenged with finding a way forward even when traditional DTC models threaten to crack—and thinking outside the box to find the post-coronavirus formula for success. Fortunately, DTC doesn’t just mean selling on your own site. Here are some of the strong benefits of adding marketplaces to your DTC channel mix.

Ben Jones Ohi

Ohi Raises $2.75 Million to Power Same-Day Delivery for DTC Brands

| Mike O'Brien

Ohi, a startup looking to democratize same-day delivery for smaller direct-to-customer brands with analytics and micro fulfillment centers in unused commercial spaces, has raised $2.75 million in a seed funding round led by Flybridge Capital Partners. Its first MFCs are in Manhattan, Brooklyn and LA, with more to come in SF and DC.

walmart ecommerce logo

Not a Good Week for Walmart

| Daniela Forte

Last week was not a good one for Walmart or Marc Lore, its CEO and president of its U.S. ecommerce division. Walmart is reportedly selling personal shopping service Jetblack to outside investors, selling its online woman’s apparel brand Modcloth to Go Global Retail and trimming staff at men’s apparel retailer Bonobos.

Direct-to-Consumer Omnichannel Personalization Without the Creep Factor

| Mark Smith

For most companies, customer experience is the new battlefield and the so-called “creep factor” is a concerning issue. In 2018, 24% of customers believed that ads they were shown were relevant, and three-fourths of those believed they were “creepy.” As companies move their personalized targeting to all channels, not just ads, it is even more important to ensure they don’t cross the creepy line.

Marshalls to Launch Ecommerce Site

| Daniela Forte

Late to the ecommerce game, Marshalls is launching an online store later this year, its parent company, TJX Companies Inc. announced during its fourth quarter earnings call.

crystal ball

The Year Ahead in Retail: 2017 Predictions

| Guy Yehiav

It’s hard to determine what will happen in 2017 when it comes to retail, none of us have crystal ball to determine what we’ll see change or stay the same. Here are several 2017 predictions in retail and what it will mean for the industry.