O+F Distribution Center Roundup, Oct. 27, 2014
A listing of some recently announced expansions and additions to retail distribution centers.
Shipping
Free Returns, Cyber Monday Shipping Times Trending Up
Innotrac is expanding its quantitative and qualitative studies of retail shipments and returns to include the pre-Christmas rush as well as Cyber Monday.
O+F Advisor Distribution Center Roundup
News that Amazon will begin collecting sales tax in Minnesota starting next week has led to speculation that the company may open a warehouse, data center or some other operation in the state or buy an existing firm, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Online-only retailers don’t need to charge sales tax in a state unless they have physical presence or affiliated business there.
BCBGMAXAZRIA offers Free Shipping, Duty-free purchases, via Borderfree
BCBGMAXAZRIA Group has partnered with Borderfree to expand its international ecommerce capabilities to shoppers in 100 countries, with free shipping to all countries with a minimum purchase.
Global Carrier Options Run the Gamut
In the MCM Outlook 2014 survey, the largest number of respondents (26%) said UPS was their primary global carrier, followed by FedEx and the United States Post Office (18%) and DHL (12%). This outcome may be the result of a largely U.S.-based audience, as DHL is generally considered the world’s shipping/logistics leader, followed by FedEx and UPS.
FedEx Beats Quarterly Expectations
FedEx reported Q1 revenue and earnings that beat analyst expectations, and announced plans for 50,000+ seasonal hires to deal with holiday shipping volumes.
FedEx to Hire 50,000 Seasonal Workers
FedEx expects to hire more than 50,000 seasonal workers for the peak holiday season, Mike Glenn, President and CEO of FedEx Services, said during the company’s first-quarter earnings call.
FedEx Announces 4.9% Rate Increase for 2015
FedEx announced a 4.9% increase in FedEx Ground, FedEx Express and FedEx Freight, effective January 5, doing so for the first time ahead of rival UPS.
Federal Court: FedEx Drivers are Employees, Not Contractors
A federal court ruled that FedEx Ground drivers who worked in California and Oregon were misclassified as independent contractors instead of employees.
Virtual Inventory a Key Piece of Omnichannel Success
As merchants look to implement omnichannel commerce to serve the heightened expectations of anytime/anywhere customers, virtual inventory is one way to meet this demand in a cost-effective manner.