FedEx is acquiring ecommerce platform ShopRunner, which offers subscribers guaranteed two-day delivery for $79 a year, looking to bolster its ecommerce offerings and bulk up in the battle against ex-partner Amazon, which is expected to restart 3P fulfillment in 2021. ShopRunner, based in Chicago, will be operated as a subsidiary.
A decline in delivery performance in certain lanes has led Amazon to restrict use of FedEx Ground and Home Delivery for Seller Fulfilled Prime orders, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Overall on-time performance of carriers is already being challenged even ahead of the traditional start of peak season.
This peak holiday season will be unlike any before, and brands must adapt accordingly. These unusual circumstances need to be met with creative solutions. Here are a few ways to avoid this scenario by looking at alternative last-mile delivery options that will keep both consumers and brands happy.
ShipMatrix, a provider of software and services for parcel shippers, has created a new offering that aims to address the massive problem of a shortfall in major carrier capacity this holiday season by making it more attractive for shippers to use the U.S. Postal Service for lightweight items.
Walmart is planning to launch a pilot for autonomous delivery in Scottsdale, AZ early next year, through a partnership with Cruise, which is majority owned by General Motors, the latest wrinkle in the ongoing push toward driverless delivery.
Amazon is adding perks for its legion of thousands of crowdsourced delivery drivers through the Flex program, creating a rewards program that includes things like a cash-back debit card and the ability to earn access to more desirable routes and slots.
Unboxing has become kind of a big deal in retail and ecommerce. It not only elevates the customer experience with a “wow factor” but also serves as a promotional tool for brands as unboxing videos are shared so often on social media, and often go viral. This infographic from 2Flo lays out many of the key elements and benefits.
The harsh truth is that this holiday season will be a true test for retailers and brands – can they meet demand while exceeding high customer expectations? Those that can’t quickly adapt will lose out to fierce competition. Technology can help them scale up and optimize their fulfillment and delivery to win the 2020 holidays.
A massive shift to ecommerce has already created peak-like conditions for shippers and carriers in 2020. Now comes the actual holiday season, a huge unknown but still expected to generate staggering volumes. This report taps ecommerce logistics experts who discuss the extraordinary challenges facing shippers this Q4.
Catching up with category leader Home Depot, Lowe’s is rolling out lockers for ecommerce order pickup in the front of stores in the New York tri-state area, Philadelphia and Charlotte, NC, with plans to expand to all 1,729 U.S. stores by March 2021. Lockers will be added in Florida, Washington and Texas in the coming weeks.