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.
BCBG Max Azria Group became the latest victim of a brutal period in retail, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after it had already announced plans to shutter 120 stores and lay off 123 employees, according to several media reports.
In a quick counter-salvo, Amazon recently lowered the free shipping threshold for non-Prime members from $49 to $35, a response to Walmart’s move earlier this month.
The speed with which Amazon changed its policy is an indication of just how seriously it is taking ecommerce competition from the world’s largest retailer.
UPS recently conducted a successful drone delivery test to a home in a rural area outside Tampa, FL, launching it from the top of a delivery truck. The drone was from electric truck and drone developer Workhorse Group. See what other drone projects UPS has in the works, how it is working with the FAA and how it sees the future of drone delivery.
What does it take to create excellence in brand communication? L.L. Bean, an iconic brand, has been doing it right for decades. Brad Mason, the company’s SVP of brand communication, discusses the company’s approach with Multichannel Merchant. The company is a finalist in the category for this year’s Excellence in Customer Experience awards, with the winners announced March 29 at Operations Summit 2017 in Pittsburgh.
In an effort to remain competitive and cut costs, iconic brand L.L. Bean is considering changes to its famous free shipping and returns. This follows policy changes instituted last year by Nordstrom, another brand famous for its generous returns policy.
Having seen success in a 10-store pilot of buy online, pickup in store (BOPIS) program in the third quarter of 2016, Michael Kors plans to roll it out across all of its 300-plus U.S. locations this quarter. The company has also seen success with its new line of wearable technology, and is continuing its pullback from the wholesale channel.
Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust, with FedEx and Best Buy as clients, said ecommerce will make up 50% of its Canadian warehouses, up from 30% today. See what other plans the company has, including wooing Amazon as a client north of the border.
FedEx Supply Chain, rebranded from the company’s 2016 acquisition of Genco, is rolling out FedEx Fulfillment, a solution that provides a full suite of warehouse, inventory management and delivery services for small- to medium-sized businesses that is directly competitive with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
Same day delivery represents an opportunity area for retailers as delivery partners can make it a reality across a wider swath of the country than Amazon, which covers 27 U.S. markets at present, according to a new report from L2. See what other insights the report uncovered, including consumer expectations for fast shipping and how one major retailer is pivoting to the new reality.
Once again the team at Multichannel Merchant is conducting the annual MCM Outlook survey, which covers every aspect of ecommerce, marketing and operations in the world of direct-to-customer and omnichannel businesses. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey, and be entered to win a $500 American Express gift card, courtesy of MCM. You’ll also be providing valuable data that helps shape our coverage of the industry in 2017 and beyond.