New Industry Group Seeks to Tackle Growing Issue of Product Returns

| Mike O'Brien

To combat the growing problem of returns, which continue to eat away at profit margins, the Retail Value Chain Federation and returns prevention software provider Newmine have created the Product Returns Council to work on solutions. Both will take part in a returns workshop at Ecommerce Operations Summit, April 14-16 in Orlando.

The Most Amazing Anti-Amazon Strategy … That Will Never Happen

| Richard Metzler

It is the synthesis of things Amazon does so well that makes it seemingly invulnerable. To me, trying to beat Amazon on just logistics without a symbiotic combination of brand, merchandising, marketing, technology and a financial war chest is just pure, unadulterated sophistry. Is there such a thing as an effective anti-Amazon strategy?

Holiday Ecommerce Up 18.8%; Retail Up 3.4%; Amazon Sets Records

| Douglas P. Clement

Ecommerce holiday sales rose 18.8% over 2018, driving 3.4% overall growth in seasonal retail, delivering a very merry season for merchants, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse holiday report. Ecommerce growth was up slightly from an 18.4% gain in 2018, accounting for 14.6% of total retail, according to Mastercard.

Hourly Workforce Trends to Watch in 2020

| Adam Roston

With historically low unemployment, the competition for reliable hourly workers has never been so stiff. Traditional employers are further hampered by gig companies luring workers with promises of flexible schedules. Here are some hiring and workforce trends to watch out for in 2020 that can impact your business.

Port Logistics Group Wins Global Omnichannel Contract with Athletic Propulsion Labs

| Press Release

Port Logistics Group, one of the nation’s leading providers of omnichannel logistics services, headquartered in City of Industry, Calif., today announced that it was awarded a multi-year logistics contract to provide distribution and fulfillment services to APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs), the luxury performance footwear brand.

New Bed Bath & Beyond CEO Takes Broom to C-Suite in Shakeup Move

| Mike O'Brien

Just a month into the job from Target, new Bed Bath & Beyond CEO Mark Tritton has let go six executives as part of a major shakeup at the struggling home goods retailer after years of negative results. Tritton saw great success as chief merchandising officer at Target, launching private label brands, some now north of $1 billion.