RightHand Robotics RightPick 3 feature

Righthand Robotics Gains $66M in Funding

| Mike O'Brien

RightHand Robotics, founded by Leif Jentoft and CEO Yaro Tenzer in 2015, has secured a $66 million funding round to fuel growth of its partner network, hire engineers and expand its global presence. Much of the hiring focus is on improving the AI and machine learning that fuels RightHand’s technology and the arm’s functionality.

wms workstation

Your WMS Hardware Budget: 8 Things to Consider

| Brian Barry

As you plan your WMS budget, two main areas that get initial budget attention are user licenses and costs and professional service fees. But companies often underestimate the equipment requirements, server capacity and communication bandwidth. You may find the needs are larger and more complex than you thought.

Target curbside pickup

Target Rolling Out Curbside Returns This Fall

| Mike O'Brien

Do you want a latte with that toy your kid didn’t like? Target said it is offering curbside returns in select markets starting this fall, as well as the opportunity to grab a Starbucks beverage while you’re at it. The red target retailer said customers can use the Target app to set up a curbside return and/or grab a caffeinated drink.

Amazon Bessemer FC feature

Union Accuses Amazon of Vote Interference

| Mike O'Brien

The union seeking to organize Amazon fulfillment center workers in Bessemer, AL, has filed another complaint alleging the company is not acting in good faith by interfering in the revote process, forcing employees to attend anti-union meetings and tearing down pro-union signs.

Veho app feature

Veho Raises $170M to Reach $1.5B Valuation

| Mike O'Brien

Veho, a startup whose software matches demand to crowdsourced drivers and handles deliveries and returns out of its own warehouses, has raised another $170 million to reach a $1.5 billion valuation, just two months after its last $125 million round made it a unicorn. The company plans to expand to national coverage in 2022.

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BOPA a Growing Option for Consumers

| Mike O'Brien

Nearly one in five American consumers prefer the more convenient option of buy online, pickup anywhere or BOPA vs. showing up at a retailer’s stores in an area, if it’s offered at checkout, according to a new study from Via.Delivery. The study was based on thousands of ecommerce transactions in Q4 2021.

Ecommerce Operations Technology Summit 2022 lake skyline feature

Ecommerce Operations Technology Summit 2022: It’s All Here

| Mike O'Brien

It may be cold outside this Valentine’s Day, but things are starting to heat up for Ecommerce Operations Technology Summit 2022, to be held April 12-13 at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Disney Springs Area as we celebrate our 10th anniversary. Photo credit: Mick Haupt on Unsplash

e-grocery fruit order

Walmart, Amazon Most Popular for E-Grocery

| Mike O'Brien

Walmart is the most popular destination for e-grocery ordering, according to a new survey by Chicory, cited by 36% of respondents, followed by Amazon at 23%, and Instacart a distant third at 10%. Target was cited by just under 10% of respondents, followed by Kroger at 7%, Albertson’s/Safeway (3%), Stop & Shop (2%) and Shipt (1%).

Ecommerce Returns: Reducing the Profit Hit

| Brian Barry

For decades, studies show a high percent of customers feel ease of returning products impact their purchasing decisions. “Free” returns shipping makes shopping even more attractive. Who wants to buy a product that can’t be returned or carries onerous conditions? Here are 7 ways to lessen the profit impact of ecommerce returns.

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In An Era of Shortages, CX Matters More Than Ever

| David Fletcher

How can retailers keep problems outside their control from damaging customer relationships? Competing on customer experience (CX) is always smart, but right now it’s critical. Of course, the best CX is getting the products they want when they want them. But you can deliver excellent CX in other ways to maintain trust and goodwill.