Is Your Warehouse Completely Winter Prepped?

| Frank Granieri

While we can’t change the weather, with minimal effort we can help mitigate exposure when the inevitable transpires. By taking a few simple yet often overlooked steps, even as the calendar has turned into 2019, logistics managers can effectively maintain a safer warehouse operation through the coldest months.

Warehouse Workers Looking to Unionize in New York, New Jersey

| Mike O'Brien

Warehouse workers made their voices heard twice recently, both times involving Amazon and unionization, while in New Jersey labor groups are seeking safer conditions and better pay in ecommerce facilities statewide. Expect the unionization push to pick up momentum in 2019 as reports of poor working conditions continue to grow.

Hourly Wages for Warehouse Workers Rise 6.7% in 2018

| Mike O'Brien

After staying suppressed for years, wages are increasing well ahead of inflation for warehouse workers, driven by a strong economy as well as the scarcity of labor for operations and fulfillment positions, according to an annual survey of associates conducted by Prologistix. See what else the survey found, and where rates are headed.

warehouse interior blur feature

Labor Shortfall for Warehouse Workers Growing Acute

| Mike O'Brien

Warehouses, distribution centers and fulfillment centers need to hire an additional 226,000 workers each in 2018 and 2019 just to keep pace with demand, driven largely by perpetually booming ecommerce, according to a new report from commercial real estate firm CBRE.

12 Ways to Improve Peak Season Hiring for Ecommerce Fulfillment

| Brian Barry

For many companies, peak season hiring is an absolute necessity. The quality and the number of hourly workers can mean success or failure in fulfillment and for your company’s service level and profitability. In many businesses, hiring decisions are underway. These 12 considerations will help you succeed at this annual exercise.

MCM CommerceChat podcast

Vermont Teddy Bear on Peak Season Operations Hiring

| Mike O'Brien

In our latest MCM CommerceChat podcast, Katie Langrock, VP of operations for Vermont Teddy Bear, talks about her company’s approach to recruitment, hiring and retention, especially during peak season. Join us as Katie also takes part in a session on this topic at MCM’s virtual E-Fulfillment Summit on Thursday, June 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT.

warehouse workers

Ongoing Labor Shortage Underscores Need for Optimized Warehouses

| Mike O'Brien

Finding sufficient warehouse staff is a problem that’s not going away soon, so merchants are looking to maximize productivity and efficiency. This special report from Multichannel Merchant explores ways they are creating optimized warehouses to address labor shortages, including tactics like incentives, space optimization and investment in a modern warehouse management system (WMS).

3 Imperatives for Warehouse Labor in Your DTC Business

| Curt Barry

Given both macro trends in the economy and micro trends in the direct-to-customer industry, there are things you need to be doing and keeping an eye on in terms of warehouse labor. Following these 3 imperatives will help set you up for success in 2018.

Educated Warehouse Employees Become Stakeholders

| Curt Barry

In order to get warehouse employees to buy into your mission and business goals, management should create a dialog that recognizes them as stakeholders. Here are six areas to address in “continuing education” sessions that can open their eyes to the challenges you face, driving empowerment and creating incentives.

Walmart Passes on Holiday Hiring, Target Boosts Minimum Wage

| Mike O'Brien

As the peak holiday season hiring frenzy kicks into gear, Walmart has decided to set itself apart by announcing it will once again offer extra shift hours instead of hiring thousands of seasonal staff as many other major retailers do. Target meanwhile plans to raise its minimum wage to $10 per hour and then to $11. See what holiday hiring plans are in the works for other retailers and service providers to meet the seasonal crush.