MCM CommerceChat podcast

The Risk/Opportunity of Try Before You Buy and Ecommerce Returns

| Mike O'Brien

Try before you buy has become increasingly popular for apparel retailers because shoppers love it, but it can play havoc with returns. Justin Press of Brightpearl shares his insights in this latest edition of the MCM CommerceChat podcast. He will also lead a panel on this topic at Ecommerce Operations Summit, April 9-11 in Columbus, OH.

Vacant Retail Locations Being Repurposed for Ecommerce Fulfillment

| Mike O'Brien

In an indicator of the continuing evolution of retail, more shuttered stores and malls are being converted to industrial space, especially for ecommerce fulfillment, according to a new report from commercial real estate firm CBRE. See where this is happening, what the drivers are and the prevailing local headwinds.

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Gut Checking Your Fulfillment Center Against Global Data Regulations

| Don White

Ecommerce companies are thoroughly examining their operations for compliance issues. You must pay equal attention to the fulfillment center, especially if you’re tracking customer data there with different tools maintained separately from your ecommerce platform. These three gut checks will help you assess your data breach readiness.

USPS Rate Hikes Send Shippers Scrambling for Savings

| Mike O'Brien

With the new U.S. Postal Service rates in effect, shippers are looking for creative ways to keep their parcel spend down as costs among the major carriers continue to rise. Find out what the increases mean and hear what some industry experts have to say about the impacts.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Talking Data Science with Abercrombie & Fitch

| Mike O'Brien

In this MCM CommerceChat podcast, Anthony Burnside, manager of direct-to-customer order management and omnichannel fulfillment for Abercrombie & Fitch, talks to Multichannel Merchant about the role of data analytics and data science inside his group and organization

4 Prerequisites for Ecommerce Companies to Maximize WMS Benefits

| Brian Barry

A WMS by itself doesn’t bring the high benefits of improved labor productivity and inventory tracking in a fulfillment center. Simply dropping a WMS on top of a paper-based fulfillment environment does not work and is a waste of money. Applying these 4 foundational prerequisites will deliver value from your technology investment.

Ecommerce Shipping: Feeling the Need for Speed

| Daniela Forte

Sixty-three percent of customer expect items to be delivered within three days, and younger generations are showing loyalty toward companies that offer free expedited delivery options, even if they have to pay for it, according to a study by LaserShip. Here is a look at what customers expect from retailers when it comes to their shipping strategy.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

The Value of a Robust Customer Feedback Strategy

| Daniela Forte

Customer feedback is vital in any business or industry. Retailers in particular are utilizing it to not only put specific products under the microscope, but to also analyze how they’re providing the best experience across all their channels. Listen to the lastest MCM CommerceChat podcast with Martha Brooke of Interaction Metrics as she discusses the value of customer feedback.

UPS Expanding Latch Partnership for In-Home Delivery to 10 More Cities

| Mike O'Brien

In another whack at porch piracy, UPS is expanding an in-home delivery service through smart lock partner Latch to 10 additional cities, after successful tests in New York and San Francisco. It will be available later this year in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, Miami and Seattle.

JD.com on the Cutting Edge of Delivery Technology in China

| Daniela Forte

Chinese ecommerce giant JD.com is working feverishly to realize customers’ desires for getting their online orders delivered when, where and how they want them, rolling out new technology to help conquer the last mile and go head-to-head with main rival Alibaba Group.