customers free shipping

Fast or Free Shipping: Which Is Better For Your Business?

| Maria Haggerty

Many factors beyond features and price cause shoppers to hit “buy.” Shipping is a big part of that equation, but what kind of options are most likely to drive sales? Faster delivery and free shipping are huge incentives, but what makes the most sense for your business? Learn about the options and their impact.

Blockchain Poised to Reinvent Retail Supply Chains: PwC

| Mike O'Brien

Blockchain technology will fundamentally alter the way retail supply chains operate in the coming years, a PwC analyst told attendees at Shop.org in Las Vegas, creating more transparency and security of data shared across partners and trading organizations.

cross-border ecommmerce globe and boxes

Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index Sees 17% Growth in 2017

| Mike O'Brien

Parcel shipping volume grew 17% in 2017 across 13 major geographies tracked by Pitney Bowes, from 64 billion to 74 billion items shipped, with China the largest shipper at 40 billion items, followed by the U.S. (12 billion) and Japan (10 billion). See what other key data was pulled out of the annual survey.

Senate Hearing on USPS Task Force Report Postponed

| Mike O'Brien

A Senate hearing on a task force report recommending U.S. Postal Service reforms, scheduled for Sept. 5, has been postponed as President Donald Trump is delaying release of the report. No new date has been set, indefinitely postponing any legislative action, including possible raising of postal rates or even privatization.

Tips for Negotiating Your UPS and FedEx Carrier Contracts

| Mike Erickson

Because of all the changes with UPS and FedEx and the complexity in today’s carrier contracts, you need to do your due diligence in terms of shipping volumes, the value of your freight to the carriers and contract terms. These steps will help you better manage the negotiation and contract process to get the best terms possible.

Stamps.com to Acquire Metapack

| Mike O'Brien

Stamps.com plans to acquire UK-based Metapack, adding SaaS-based, multi-carrier management software to its online postage solution, expanding its global footprint and giving it more of an enterprise focus. The $230 million deal is expected to close in August.