autonomous middle mile Ryder Gatik

Autonomous Middle Mile: Exploring the Future

| Mike O'Brien

Executives from Ryder, Gatik and enVista joined a professor from Georgia Tech to discuss the latest technology and trends in autonomous middle mile trucks for retail and ecommerce replenishment, during a panel on the topic at Ecommerce Operations Technology Summit 2022 in Orlando.

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.

H&M storefront feature

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.

parcel shipping delivery scan

Better Shipping Options at Checkout Increase Conversions

| Mitchell Nitikin

As much as ecommerce sellers want every shopper that loads up their cart to complete a purchase, the reality is that some simply won’t. However, many shoppers that vanish at the sight of added shipping fees will in fact hit the “buy” button IF they are given more shipping options and control over how they receive their order.

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Boox Launches Reusable Bags Alongside Boxes

| Mike O'Brien

Boox, a company providing returns service with reusable boxes being trialed by companies like Sephora, Revolve and lululemon, is rolling out a line of reusable bags as it expands into apparel and other categories and looks to grow its footprint beyond the U.S. and the UK. The Boox Baag, as it’s called, is made from recycled polyester.

Amazon JFK8 exterior feature

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.

sustainable shipping green truck illustration feature

5 Ways to Boost Sustainable Shipping

| Ami Bensman

For shippers worried about the pressure to green up their shipping operations, and the associated costs and resources required, there’s good news. It’s not only the right thing to do for the earth but can be good for your business as well. Here actions you can take now to improve your sustainable shipping.

Amazon Labor Union logo feature

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.

Happy Returns bar Ulta Beauty feature

Happy Returns Free for PayPal Checkout Merchants

| Mike O'Brien

PayPal is extending returns services through its Happy Returns unit for free to all PayPal Checkout merchant customers, while also naming Ulta Beauty as an in-store returns bar partner, adding 1,300 locations and bringing the total to more than 5k in the U.S. The returns portal is also localized to 8 languages for EU and Canada.