Using a 3PL to Save on Operational Costs

| Brian Barry

Using a 3PL isn’t for everyone. But escalating labor costs, requirements for a new facility, starting a new business or channel and avoiding capital costs are reasons we see companies comparing internal fulfillment to 3PL. Here are six major ways businesses have traditionally saved money and reduced capital using 3PLs in their supply chain.

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Talking Ecommerce Operations Technology Summit with H&M

| Mike O'Brien

Sustainability in ecommerce operations, the rise of autonomous vehicles and the need for supply chain visibility were all covered in day one of Ecommerce Operations Technology Summit 2022 in Orlando, FL. In this MCM CommerceChat podcast, Michaela Wallin of H&M helps us break it all down.

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Amazon Union Battles Sees Objections Flying on Both Sides

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon is challenging a union vote at a distribution center in Staten Island, NY, saying it should be thrown out due to illegal coercion on the part of the union, while the labor group is accusing the retail giant of sour grapes over an election it won. Union and employer are also locked in a dispute over an election in Bessemer, AL.

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Amazon Staten Island Union Vote Sends Shockwaves

| Mike O'Brien

A tiny startup union dealt a major blow to mighty Amazon with a successful vote at a fulfillment center on Staten Island, NY led by a worker who had been fired two years ago, a move that backfired on the multi-million-dollar effort to thwart the organizing effort. But the matter is far from over as Amazon is sure to challenge the vote.

5 Ways to Beat the Supply Chain Crisis

| Mark Hook

You may have heard there’s a global supply chain crisis. The good news is that retailers that proactively take the right steps to deal with it can not only survive but thrive. After all, when supply chain management is effective, it is proven to lower a company’s overall costs and boost profitability. Here are 5 ways brands can beat the crisis.

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Improving Speed to Customer: Winning in the Face of Headwinds

| Mike O'Brien

How are you addressing speed to customer in a challenging environment? Multichannel Merchant brought together executives in transportation and logistics from top companies — GNC, Best Buy, Vermont Teddy Bear, Crutchfield, DSW and Saddle Creek Logistics Services — for a virtual Think Tank forum on the subject.

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Google Rolls Out Fleet/Route Optimization Toolset

| Mike O'Brien

Given the vast amount of data streaming into its ubiquitous search engine every day, its various technology platforms and the ecommerce explosion, it’s only logical that Google is offering what it sees as a better mousetrap to solve the thorny problem of route optimization in last-mile deliveries.

11 Ecommerce Fulfillment Center Layout Design Principles

| Brian Barry

There are several basic principles that apply to ecommerce fulfillment center layout and design that tie into operating an efficient facility. Without them, you’ll face capacity issues, decreased productivity and storage inadequacies. Here are 11 key principles to consider when looking at FC layout, design and productivity.

Supply Chain Software: 5 Deployment Best Practices

| Tom Martucci

Whether launching new supply chain software or migrating from an existing system, having a precise evaluation and selection process drives operational effectiveness. It also reinforces transparency and fluidity throughout the organization. A thorough evaluation mapping process is one of the most powerful tools you have.

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The Fifth Wave of Ecommerce

| Frank Garcia

The challenge being laid today is to understand that in-store fulfillment is a workaround, not a scalable solution, for retailers penetrating further into ecommerce. If your physical shoppers have a bad experience because of technological processes you’ve enabled, you have failed them in the overall customer journey.