ChatGPT, Generative AI and How They’re Impacting Retail

| Mike O'Brien

ChatGPT, the generative AI tool based on Microsoft-backed OpenAI technology, is creating media buzz on a new level, with its much-touted ability to create human-seeming language, content and interactions for just about any business or private context. It’s also causing major disruption in retail, even as ethical and legal issues arise.

Look to Weeks After Chinese New Year for Supply Chain Effects, Experts Say

| Mike O'Brien

With Chinese New Year starting Sunday, and manufacturing and logistics operations virtually shut down there for two weeks, experts say retail inventory levels are in a good place given recent gluts and proactive restocks, but the weeks following will bear watching and might bring issues.

How Black Friday Became Bot Friday

| Kerry Coppinger

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday quickly approaching, retailers are gearing up, stocking inventory, hiring seasonal staff and even upping their cybersecurity. In this day and age, shoppers must be extremely careful when making purchases online, as bots are more sophisticated and damaging than ever before.

Hits of the Week 11-11-22

| David Hurwitz

A bit of ground was covered this week in MCM, from a startup nano fulfillment company to a peak holiday season roundup, how Black Friday is becoming Bot Friday and … Continue Reading →

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.

Is Your Ecommerce Fulfillment Center Ready for a Recession?

| Brian Barry

Building operational resilience and developing problem/solution scenarios for your ecommerce fulfillment center prior to a recession will allow you to be nimbler. Have a plan vs. just hoping it doesn’t occur; hope is not a strategy. Include department heads early, identify areas to review and develop a course of action.