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.
Heading into the thick of the temp hiring period for peak season, companies find themselves challenged by a tight labor market and competition for workers. See what Ascena Retail Group, American Eagle Outfitters and The Golf Warehouse are doing to address the issue.
In general the omnichannel experience for customers is not matching up to its promise, research firm L2 found in its annual Digital IQ Index of retailers. See which firms scored high in the index, and what they’re doing right.
The financial woes of South Korean concern Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd, the world’s seventh-largest ocean freight line, is causing a ripple effect that is disrupting supply chains across retail entering the busy fall and holiday season. See what efforts are underway to address the logjam.
UPS has announced its annual general rate increase for 2017, an average of 4.9% that goes into effect on Dec. 26. Other changes will be announced Nov. 18. See what else has changed in UPS rates and what this means in terms of its competition with FedEx.
PulseTV, an online and catalog seller of discounted home goods, electronics and other products, has seen shipping performance gains by using OSM Worldwide. See how the merchant has been able to save money, improve service levels and cut down on customer service calls.
As it struggles to woo more 20-something shoppers and faces fast-fashion competition, Abercrombie & Fitch announced plans to close 60 U.S. locations. Omnichannel and DTC were bright spots in a tough Q2, with DTC now representing 23% of sales. See what executives said about efforts to tweak its brand positioning and improve results.
New FAA rules going into effect covering drone pilot licenses could pave the way for drone delivery of ecommerce orders as early as this year, experts say. See what else is happening in the world of drone delivery.
inVia Robotics claims to be the first to market with a “goods-to-box” system that uses a pay-as-you-pick service model to make it scalable and affordable. See how this approach has benefited ink and toner cartridge maker LD Products, one of the first users of the system.
Quick question: Which of the Big 3 U.S. parcel carriers delivers the most ecommerce packages? Surprise: It’s the United States Postal Service. So why are ecommerce merchants shifting their shipments to the USPS? Multichannel Merchant dove into this topic, and got some answers from some small- and medium-size merchants.
American Eagle Outfitters has improved performance at its omnichannel DC by pooling DTC and ecommerce inventory in an “all active” processing environment. See what benefits the company has seen in peak season and throughout the year since the facility went all-omnichannel last year.