Mike O'Brien
Mike O’Brien has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for … well, quite a while. At Multichannel Merchant he focuses on the world of direct-to-customer operations and fulfillment, editing MCM’s weekly O+F Advisor newsletter, and programs the annual Ecommerce Operations Summit conference. Previously Mike was a senior account executive for Marx Communications, a boutique public relations firm working with marketing and advertising technology companies. Other past work includes stints as a media relations consultant for a concert promoter, a marketing communications specialist for a pharma software firm, a research analyst covering corporate e-learning and a daily newspaper reporter on every beat imaginable – except sports.
If President Trump had his way and the U.S. Postal Service charged more for parcel delivery, the move would not only hurt the USPS’s parcel business but cause a ripple effect, according to a report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).
For a case that is being upheld as a bringer of clarity, the Wayfair decision is certainly providing a good bit of uncertainty as well. States, ecommerce sellers, retailers and service providers are all sorting out the practical implications of the landmark Supreme Court ruling.
In a landmark decision impacting the way domestic retail and ecommerce is transacted, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned its 1992 Quill decision, meaning ecommerce companies must now collect sales tax regardless of whether they have a physical presence in a state.
In our latest MCM CommerceChat podcast, Katie Langrock, VP of operations for Vermont Teddy Bear, talks about her company’s approach to recruitment, hiring and retention, especially during peak season. Join us as Katie also takes part in a session on this topic at MCM’s virtual E-Fulfillment Summit on Thursday, June 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT.
Despite its many advantages, WMS software is not in use at nearly 35% of distribution and fulfillment center operations, according to a survey by the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC). See what other technology preferences and investment plans were cited by operations professionals.
Are you an operations and fulfillment professional with a great, compelling story to tell that will educate and inform your industry peers? If so, we want to hear from you! The Ecommerce Operations Summit 2019 Call for Speakers is open from now until Aug. 10. Send us your best ideas and we’ll consider them for next year’s agenda.
A year after a quiet introduction, Amazon is expanding Hub by Amazon, secure keypad-access lockers in high-rise and garden apartments that allow shoppers to grab packages at their convenience. Interestingly, the service is available to other shippers as well as Amazon itself.
A new study of shoppers ages 14-24 by Fluent Commerce found that young shoppers weren’t as eager for fulfillment immediacy as you’d think in the age of Amazon Prime and guaranteed two-day delivery, with most digital natives still good with hitting the stores. See what else matters to the next wave of consumers.
Plus-size fashion retailer Eloquii is leveraging data and analytics to find success with targeted
“pre-tail” initiatives that gauge shopper interest before a new product is launched, CEO Maria Chase told attendees at IRCE.
Home Depot plans to spend $1.2 billion to upgrade its supply chain and fulfillment network between now and 2023, adding 170 distribution facilities to reach 90% of the U.S. population in a day or less, an executive said at a recent supply chain conference.