Critical systems functionality and efficient fulfillment are at the heart of a multichannel strategy, and merchants must meet compliance standards of marketplaces and big-box stores. Many 3PLs can bring this functionality and cost effectiveness to ecommerce sellers, manufacturers and brands. Here’s how to make it work for you.
Today, merchants need to adopt every best practice to reduce costs and provide higher levels of service. Only one conference focuses exclusively on optimizing direct-to-customer and omnichannel operations and fulfillment: Ecommerce Operations Summit, April 9-11, 2019 in Columbus, OH. Here are 6 great benefits of attending.
When you’re not diligent in planning workloads, measuring productivity and publishing results to employees, work will expand to fill the time available for its completion. If this describes your ecommerce operations, here are ways you can experiment with measuring and improving productivity, while increasing efficiency.
While we can’t change the weather, with minimal effort we can help mitigate exposure when the inevitable transpires. By taking a few simple yet often overlooked steps, even as the calendar has turned into 2019, logistics managers can effectively maintain a safer warehouse operation through the coldest months.
Somerville, MA-based RightHand Robotics has raised $23 million in a Series B funding round led by Menlo Ventures, joined by GV (formerly Google Ventures) and existing investors Dream Incubator, Matrix Partners and Playground Global. The company, founded in 2014, has raised $34.2 million to date.
To improve operations, you first need to measure key fulfillment metrics. Understanding them lets you develop options for processes that reduce steps and cost, or improve service levels such as order turnaround time. Here are 16 metrics we recommend you use as a starting point.
Vacancy rates for industrial and logistics space, including ecommerce fulfillment, is now at a historic low of 4.3% and new construction is constrained, leading to limited expansion options for warehouse occupants and higher rents, according to a Q3 report from brokerage CBRE. This has led to an increase in multistory developments.
Multichannel Merchant has published its fourth annual MCM Top 3PL listing for 2019, a searchable directory of leading third-party logistics (3PL) providers in ecommerce and direct-to-customer operations. This key resource lists the capabilities and experience of over 50 top 3PL providers, helping you select the right one for your needs.
Warehouse workers made their voices heard twice recently, both times involving Amazon and unionization, while in New Jersey labor groups are seeking safer conditions and better pay in ecommerce facilities statewide. Expect the unionization push to pick up momentum in 2019 as reports of poor working conditions continue to grow.
FedEx is testing the use of autonomous tugs to transport items within its sortation and distribution facilities in an effort to handle the growing volume of bulky ecommerce orders more efficiently. See what other types of automation the carrier is using to optimize the massive flow of packages through its network at peak.