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.
Marvin Ellison, who took over JC Penney after the turbulent Ron Johnson era but has overseen the business during its recent decline, has jumped ship to become the new CEO of home improvement firm Lowe’s as it tries to keep up with category leader Home Depot.
With his well-tweeted animosity toward Amazon and Jeff Bezos as a backdrop, President Trump has twice pushed Postmaster General Megan Brennan to double the rate the U.S. Postal Service charges the ecommerce giant and other major shippers, the Washington Post has reported.
Target is taking a new approach to its distribution model for retail and ecommerce orders, testing out a “flow center” concept that draws from a common inventory pool and sends smaller shipments to stores to enable quicker turns and lower stock levels.
Ten public-private drone test projects have been approved by the Department of Transportation for various applications, including home deliveries, but Amazon was conspicuous by its absence from the group despite its high-profile Prime Air program.
Spending on ecommerce logistics in the U.S. reached $117.2 billion in 2017, representing 6.9% of all domestic logistics costs, up from 5.2% in 2016, according to a new report from Armstrong & Associates, as online buying continues to experience 14% annual growth.
UPS is considering the possibility of a two-tier wage structure that would allow lower-paid drivers to make Sunday deliveries, which the U.S. Post Office has been doing primarily for Amazon since November 2013.
Ending weeks of back and forth, Walmart confirmed it is making a $16 billion investment in Indian ecommerce marketplace Flipkart, giving it a 77% stake, increasing its presence in the rapidly growing market and edging out a bid from rival Amazon.
After testing the waters, Amazon has stopped bidding on product listing ads on Google Shopping, according to data from marketing agency Merkle, opening the door for home goods sellers in their absence. See what this decision means for sellers, and what might be behind it.
Giant industrial real estate investment trust Prologis will acquire competitor DCT Industrial Trust for $8.4 billion in stock and assumed debt, giving it significantly increased scale in key U.S. markets and the ability to better service the growing needs of its ecommerce clients.
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amazon and Macy’s are all planning new facilities and there is spec building activity afoot in Jacksonville, FL and Winnebago County, IL, in our latest MCM fulfillment and distribution center roundup.