inventory management woman at her WMS

Inventory Management in 2022: Navigating Disruptions

| Mike O'Brien

This special report from Multichannel Merchant will address how the right tools and technology not only provide greater inventory accuracy and visibility, but help you prioritize and track SKU movement within a facility, among network nodes and in partner channels. It will also cover advanced capabilities as well as must-have systems.

CTA Seeks AB5 Hearing Before Supreme Court

| Mike O'Brien

The California Trucking Association (CTA) is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to ignore the recommendation of the California attorney general and instead review an appellate court decision upholding the state’s AB5 law, which calls for recognition of contract drivers as employees.

ecommerce fulfillment warehouse workers

How Flexible Labor is Reshaping Ecommerce Fulfillment Operations

| MCM Staff

In ecommerce fulfillment, there’s a growing movement toward a more flexible workforce, driven by staffing challenges and a more empowered labor pool. This is having a massive impact and creating huge potential for operations management. Join us for this free live webinar featuring experts from flexible labor provider Instawork.

3PL illustration feature

Using a 3PL to Mitigate Shipping Disruptions

| David Branson

Consumer purchasing power is only a click away, bringing significant pressure on ecommerce sellers. Shippers need innovative ways to efficiently track and transport orders. To do so, they should consider a third-party logistics (3PL) provider to gain more flexible freight options, increasing operational efficiency and visibility.

3PL

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.

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.

speed to customer delivery guy feature

Improving Speed to Customer: Winning in the Face of Headwinds

| Mike O'Brien

How are you addressing speed to customer in a challenging environment? Multichannel Merchant brought together executives in transportation and logistics from top companies — GNC, Best Buy, Vermont Teddy Bear, Crutchfield, DSW and Saddle Creek Logistics Services — for a virtual Think Tank forum on the subject.

FedEx Express truck feature

FedEx Q3 Results Hit by Omicron, Volume Dropoff

| Mike O'Brien

FedEx delivered strong revenue and profit for the third quarter, but the latter was below analyst expectations, and volume was negatively impacted by the Omicron variant to the tune of $350 million between Express and Ground, a falloff the company said began rebounding in February.

11 Ecommerce Fulfillment Center Layout Design Principles

| Brian Barry

There are several basic principles that apply to ecommerce fulfillment center layout and design that tie into operating an efficient facility. Without them, you’ll face capacity issues, decreased productivity and storage inadequacies. Here are 11 key principles to consider when looking at FC layout, design and productivity.