Mike O'Brien

[email protected] / MikeOBmcm

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.

Amazon Reportedly Using Hybrid MFC Approach in New Grocery Store

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon is reportedly using a micro-fulfillment center solution from Dematic at its first grocery store not named Whole Foods outside Los Angeles, sending a loud signal to the rest of the market that an MFC capability is critical to success and maintaining market share in the red-hot e-grocery sector.

Target Facing Unionization Efforts at Test Fulfillment Center in New Jersey

| Mike O'Brien

Workers at a Target fulfillment center in New Jersey are considering union representation, stirring up labor issues for the retailer as it reworks the supply chain to move inventory closer to customers and better integrate store and online channels, the Wall Street Journal is reporting. Amazon and FedEx are also facing unionization pressures.

1-800-Flowers Acquiring PersonalizationMall from Bed Bath & Beyond

| Mike O'Brien

1-800-Flowers is acquiring PersonalizationMall.com from troubled retailer Bed, Bath and Beyond, which has been in the midst of a major turnaround effort, for $252 million. The deal includes a newly renovated 360,000-square-foot production/distribution center, a database of B2B and B2C customers and its website and mobile platform.

Amazon Cutting Out Delivery Contractors It Says Don’t Pass Muster

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon is severing delivery contracts in five states, affecting about 1,300 drivers, eliminating partners it says aren’t meeting delivery standards, according to Bloomberg and other reports. Two years ago, Amazon began a program to help entrepreneurs start up delivery businesses, creating less of a need for the existing contractors.

IoT in the Supply Chain to be Covered at Ecommerce Operations Summit

| Mike O'Brien

Innovation around the Internet of Things (IoT) is advancing rapidly, enabling data sharing among millions of devices and tagged items and providing new levels of visibility and traceability. Experts from FedEx and Microsoft will discuss the latest advances in IoT and results within their organizations at Ecommerce Operations Summit.

Jetblack Shutting Down After Failing to Gain Traction or Find a Buyer

| Mike O'Brien

Walmart is shutting down its Manhattan-based concierge delivery service Jetblack two years after its experimental launch, as it continued to lose money while not gaining customers or finding a buyer, the Wall Street Journal reported. Walmart had been in talks with potential buyers last year but the talks ended without bearing any fruit.

Peapod Shuts Down Midwest Operation to Focus on East Coast

| Mike O'Brien

Ahold Delhaize USA said it plans to close the Midwest division of its Peapod online grocery delivery business to focus on expanding operations in the more lucrative East Coast, where most of its stores are located. Dutch-based Ahold said the Midwest operation of Peapod represented $97 million of the $1.1 billion in online sales in the U.S.

FedEx express truck

FedEx Diverting Some Express Packages into Ground Network

| Mike O'Brien

FedEx is diverting some Express deliveries into its less expensive Ground network to drive efficiency and build ecommerce package density after parting ways with Amazon in 2019, according an internal memo obtained by the WSJ. FedEx will redirect residential Express packages to Ground as they get close to their destination.

e-grocery phone in aisle feature

E-Grocery Penetration Expected to Hit Double Digits by 2024

| Mike O'Brien

E-grocery penetration in the U.S. reached 4.5% of the overall food/beverage market in 2019, according to figures from Deutsche Bank cited by e-fulfillment technology provider Fabric, after hovering around 2% for years. It’s expected to exceed 10% by 2024 and hit 12% the following year.

deliverr logo

Deliverr Raises $40M to Fuel Two-Day Delivery For Ecommerce Sellers

| Mike O'Brien

Deliverr, a startup that uses data and a network of warehouse partners to strategically position inventory and enable fast ecommerce deliveries, has raised $40 million in a new funding round, bringing its total raised to $70 million. The funding round was led by Activant Capital and included 8VC, GLP and Flexport founder Ryan Petersen.