Calling All Top 3PL Providers for MCM List: Do You Have What It Takes?

| Mike O'Brien

Now in its fifth year, Multichannel Merchant’s MCM Top 3PLs is a listing of leading third-party logistics providers in ecommerce and direct-to-customer (D2C) operations and fulfillment. To create the 2020 listing, we’re looking for a few good 3PLs. How does your organization measure up? You have until Nov. 7 to complete a submission.

Agreement Keeps U.S. in the UPU, Rolls Out Self-Declared Postal Rates

| Mike O'Brien

The UPU on Wednesday approved a compromise plan that will let countries set their own inbound postal rates, avoiding a threatened pullout by the U.S. that would have caused shipping chaos ahead of the peak holiday season. The U.S. can begin imposing self-declared rates next July, with others following in 2021.

UPU Congress Strikes Down U.S. Proposal to End Terminal Dues

| Mike O'Brien

At the first day of the Universal Postal Union’s extraordinary congress in Geneva Tuesday, the body voted 78-57 with 9 abstentions against a U.S. proposal to allow creation of self-declared postal rates, an effort to end the current inequitable terminal dues system, the Associated Press reported.

Ecommerce Operations Summit 2020 Set to Rock Orlando

| Mike O'Brien

There’s a little bit of everything on tap at Ecommerce Operations Summit 2020, to be held April 14-16 in wonderful Orlando, FL. From keynotes by executives at Neiman Marcus and REI to new e-grocery and robotics tracks, preconference workshops and lots of great networking, it’s a not-to-be-missed event for industry pros.

Amazon to Buy 100,000 Electric Delivery Vans

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said the company plans to purchase 100,000 electric-powered vans from Detroit startup Rivian Automotive, as it seeks to accomplish two goals in one stroke: Decreasing its carbon footprint and increasing its delivery capabilities.

FedEx Ground driver

A Breakdown of the 2020 Rate Increases from FedEx

| Matt Bohn

FedEx announced its annual general rate increase (GRI) for 2020. Effective Jan. 6, FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery will increase an average of 4.9%, while FedEx Freight will increase rates by an average of 5.9%. How will this affect individual shippers? Here’s a breakdown of the areas likely to have the greatest impact.

New California Law Upends Economics of Using Independent Contractors

| Mike O'Brien

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a new measure that will require many companies using independent contractors to hire them as employees and provide benefits, dramatically changing the economics of the gig economy in ecommerce delivery. Deliv got ahead of the law in June by hiring its California workers.

Ecommerce Returns Are the New Customer Experience Battlefield

| Justin Irvine

What happens when your ecommerce returns are cross border? How do you manage and view all orders globally and domestically? How close are you to returns data? How nimble are you at meeting local customer expectations in terms of carriers and time to credit? Here are some things to think about as you step up your returns game.

Handling Subscription Box Business Growth

| Nicole Lee

Subscription box ecommerce has grown more than 100% a year for the past five years, according to McKinsey & Company. If you have a subscription box offering, you need to evaluate your business and make sure you’re prepared for growth. Three key areas to consider: Personalization, transportation management and technology.