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Ecommerce Packaging Waste: The Issue and What’s Being Done

| Mike O'Brien

No one questions the fact that ecommerce packaging waste is a major problem, clogging the planet with yet more plastic and cardboard. The twofold question then becomes, what is being done about it, and what more can be done? This Multichannel Merchant special feature discusses the scope of the issue, and steps that are being taken by retailers, suppliers and governments to reduce the amount of waste.

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Looking at Ecommerce Returns in a New Light

| Mike O'Brien

While ecommerce returns continue to soar and cost retailers both in terms of actual dollars and the bad customer experience, there are practical ways to reduce the rate, make the process more efficient and leverage the customer opportunity, attendees were told at the NRF 2023 Big Show in New York.

Macy’s Converts 35 Stores to Mini FCs

| Mike O'Brien

Ahead of peak season, Macy’s converted 35 stores into mini fulfillment centers, creating about 1 million square feet of space to handle online orders, lowering costs, speeding up delivery times and reducing the incidence of painful split shipments, executives said on a recent earnings call.

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Cyber Week, Here We Come

| Mike O'Brien

Sales expectations are somewhat muted based on a welter of surveys and experts, as well as most retail earnings, but Cyber Week is still kind of a big deal, extended season and early deals notwithstanding. There are, of course, no lack of consumer jitters due to nagging inflation, with study after study indicating some degree of hesitancy.

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Using Customer Delivery Personas as a Growth Tool

| Chris Jones

How do you create a positive delivery experience that offers consumers the choice they crave, translating your last mile delivery process into repeat purchases and brand loyalty? Retailers in the know are focusing on delivery segmentation to differentiate themselves, crafting customer delivery personas to inform their last mile deliveries.

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DTC Brands: Optimize Packaging to Step Up CX

| Natalia Carr-Balogh

Consumers continue to embrace the ease and convenience of ecommerce, with sales expected to grow 9.4% and cross the $1 trillion mark in 2022, according to Insider Intelligence — and getting packaging right is a major delight factor for them. Here are four ways to make sure your packaging checks all the boxes.

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5 Tips for Improving Holiday Customer Service

| Owen Campbell

Newsflash: ecommerce is on the rise, even if there has been a bit of a pullback lately, and the peak of the holiday season is now upon us. As activity ramps up, so does the demand for high-quality customer service. These 5 tips will help you keep on top of the increased inquiry volume and provide the best CX possible this holiday season.

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How Grocery Can Survive Uberization

| Madeline Aufseeser

Perhaps the biggest competitive advantages delivery services have over traditional grocery is sourcing and convenience. So, what can traditional grocers do to stop their lunch being eaten? Continue to innovate your channels with products, services and tools that help customers get the most from their in-store experiences.

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Sephora Launches Unlimited Same-Day Delivery Subscription

| Mike O'Brien

Beauty retailer Sephora is upping its convenience game, launching an unlimited same-day delivery subscription for $49 per year, through its website or the Sephora app, a service not offered by main rival Ulta Beauty, which charges $9.95 per delivery without the app option. The program has no minimum and there is a 30-day free trial.