Have a question about using Fulfillment By Amazon? During eTail West 2013, Tom Taylor, VP of Fulfillment By Amazon and Amazon Webstore, took time to talk with Multichannel Merchant’s Tim Parry. In this video, Taylor answers such questions as how Amazon determines what distribution center or centers are ideal for you, and how to get started with International shipping.
According to MCM Outlook 2012-13, 56% of respondents said they felt the United States Postal Service is a viable alternative to UPS and FedEx. Here’s what industry experts from Shipware, Endicia and LJM Consultants have to say about the pros – and cons – of USPS vs. FedEx and UPS.
FedEx reported a 12% profit loss in its second quarter. The shipping company said the decline is due in part to Superstorm Sandy that paralyzed much of the East Coast this fall. Although FedEx saw a profit loss last quarter, the Memphis-based company said it expects to see a record setting holiday season.
UPS released its rate increases for 2013, including an average net increase of 4.5% — the same as this year
As Hurricane Sandy slammed the East Coast today, affecting about 50 million people from the Mid-Atlantic states to Canada, the country’s major shipping companies incurred interruptions to some of its delivery areas.
Will merchants be the big winners this holiday season? They just might since many, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, The Limited and Kohls, have announced major increases in seasonal employment this year.
Even though several U.S.-based retailers are getting into shipping products internationally, in order to see an increase in revenue, retailers need to stay up-to-speed on the marketing, shipping protocols, and what their customers want.
Mom and pop retailers can take some lessons from their ecommerce counterparts about how to compete against Amazon.com. From our perspective at Multichannel Merchant, retailers can compete with Amazon if they take the following 10 steps.