Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos addressed the company’s response to and operations during the coronavirus outbreak, saying they’re doing all they can to keep workers safe amid reports of growing positive tests, a worker death and walkouts. Bezos also discussed possible company-wide COVID-19 testing, a process that is taking top priority.
It’s inspiring to hear stories of individuals and businesses stepping to help in the fight against the “invisible enemy” that is the novel coronavirus. Lauri Sullivan, CFO and COO of The Salyers Group, discusses the company’s various efforts and how they’re keeping connected with customers in our latest MCM CommerceChat podcast.
Multichannel Merchant is thrilled to announce that Ecommerce Operations Summit 2020 is rescheduled for Sept. 9-10 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. In addition to our usual great content, we also plan to have lots of fun networking opportunities and functions taking full advantage of our location in the heart of Music City.
Many ecommerce companies are trying to stay open while keeping their employees and customers safe through the coronavirus pandemic. Others have temporarily shut down and are thinking about how and when they can reopen. Here are some things to keep in mind based on our consulting work with retail and wholesale companies.
Amidst the massive pivot to online during the coronavirus crisis, providers of last mile delivery services are seeing huge growth in demand from various kinds of merchants, as house-bound consumers are ordering away for both essential and nonessential items. Demand is coming from a variety of sources, including stores, SMBs and CPGs.
Amazon plans to halt its Amazon Shipping service that competes directly with FedEx and UPS, the Wall Street Journal is reporting, diverting workers to over-maxed fulfillment operations for its own business. Amazon Shipping is only active in a few cities. The company is working with shippers to limit the amount of disruption.
The effects of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 are being felt globally. Given the widespread impact, most subscription-based businesses are sure to feel the repercussions long term. Given the many challenges it presents, planning now to ensure that your business can adapt as this new reality unfolds is your best move.
While much is unknown about the long-term impact of coronavirus, retail supply chains will certainly look different once the crisis is past, industry observers agree. Multichannel Merchant spoke with experts from enVista, Le Tote and Johnson Stevens to get their views on the current situation and where things are headed.
Just two months after announcing it was exploring strategic alternatives, including selling off one or more of its business units but keeping its LTL services intact, the company pulled this option off the table due to the effects of the coronavirus on markets. XPO had been looking at divestiture after a two-year, $8 billion acquisition spree.
While most of retail is in the doldrums due to coronavirus, grocers are seeing explosive growth, and e-grocery has been accelerating rapidly due to shutdowns. Scott DeGraeve, COO and co-founder of Locai Solutions, and Doug Baker, VP, industry relations at FMI, discuss what they’re seeing across the sector, and how it will change.