Amazon is jumping on the peak surcharge bandwagon for the first time, asking sellers using its Fulfillment By Amazon service to pay 35 cents more per item for goods sold in the U.S. and Canada, running from Oct. 15 to Jan. 14, according to CNBC. This follows peak fee announcements from both FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service.
As you conduct strategic planning for ecommerce fulfillment operations, what are the strategies you should consider to remain competitive and be efficient this year and in the future? This post looks at seven trends that are shaping operations in multichannel companies, including supply chain and workforce issues.
Borderfree, a provider of cross-border shipping acquired by Pitney Bowes in 2015, is being acquired by Israeli cross-border platform firm Global-e for $100 million in cash, about a quarter of its original price, the companies announced, adding the two will enter into a strategic partnership. The deal is expected to close in Q3.
Walmart plans to open up four high-tech, automated fulfillment centers over the next three years, which when completed will enable it to reach 95% of the country in the Amazon Prime standard of two days or less, while streamlining fulfillment processes and increasing throughput. The news drops between a Q1 miss and Prime Day.
It’s increasingly difficult to keep your workforce staffed up. Automation is often the answer, but what if you could swap in solutions as needed? In this webinar, experts at Kenco Logistics talk about the power of the “as-a-service model,” and how an automation innovation lab environment is a triple win for tech provider, 3PL and retailer.
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.
Zebra Technologies, a provider of hardware and software for warehouse fulfillment and inventory management, has acquired Fetch Robotics for $290 million, after an initial investment and partnership. Zebra saw a good fit between its workflow software and inventory/pick management devices and Fetch’s AMR capabilities.
ShipBob, a provider of software and services to optimize shipping for ecommerce companies, has raised $200 million in a new funding round, pushing its valuation over the $1 billion mark in a crowded unicorn field as it looks to expand globally and support customers as they add new channels.
With labor costs increasing, parcel shipping becoming more expensive and carriers struggling to support peak volumes, companies are implementing new strategies with micro fulfillment centers or MFCs. The concept is not new and they’re not for everyone, but it’s worth assessing how it might fit into your fulfillment network strategy.
The arrival of COVID-19 in early 2020 clearly had an enormous and unexpected impact on retail sales channels but the fundamental goal for merchants remained the same: Provide a great product and exceptional customer experience. So here we are, in the new ecommerce landscape. Here’s what you need to focus on to succeed.