covid mask warehouse guy

6 Ways a 3PL Can Help Mitigate Risk in the Wake of COVID-19

| Jeff Jones

Now keenly aware of their vulnerabilities, retail and ecommerce companies are much more likely to build events like pandemics and other crises into their business planning. They are reevaluating sourcing, warehousing, fulfillment and transportation practices to future proof their business. Here are 6 ways a 3PL can help.

e-grocery phone in aisle feature

E-Grocery Sales Down 20% in August, But AOV, Regular Usage Increasing

| Mike O'Brien

While total e-grocery sales in the U.S. declined 20% in August vs. June to $5.2 billion, other factors indicate strength in the sector, such as growth in average order value and repeat usage intent, according to a survey by Mercatus and Brick Meets Click. AOV reached a high of $95, the survey found, 32% higher than a year ago.

kids playing leapfrog

Digital Leapfrogging: Will Your Ecommerce Business Get Jumped?

| Derek O'Carroll

Companies that are resistant or slow to change face real threats from the emergence of a new group of DTC brands, boosted by technology, that can deliver a complete end-to-end customer experience. Laggards need to address their operations urgently, or risk being digitally leapfrogged and left behind by the pack of hungry DTCs.

Amazon FC exterior

What Sellers Need to Know About Fulfilling Amazon Marketplace Orders

| Jeff Jones

Third-party sellers sold on average more than 6,500 products per minute on Amazon Marketplace in the past year, with over 450,000 sellers utilizing Fulfilled By Amazon (FBA). In recent months, however, FBA has been placing restrictions due to pandemic volumes. One option is using Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN); here’s how it works.

back-to-school mom + kids

In the Home Stretch, Back to School Season Outlook Remains Clouded

| Mike O'Brien

The uncertainty around schools reopening has made this back-to-school season unlike any before it for retailers, with school supplies lists often unknown as districts work out details, and the normal cadence of discount events and promotions disrupted as well, experts say. Apparel has been hit hardest while tech items are winners.

Jos. A. Bank exterior

Tailored Brands Stresses Casual in Chapter 11; REV Bids for Modell’s

| Mike O'Brien

It was another eventful week in the ongoing saga of retail bankruptcies. Tailored Brands, parent of Jos. A. Bank and Men’s Wearhouse, plans to put a greater emphasis on casual apparel as part of its Chapter 11 filing, while the investment group REV is planning to snatch up assets from both Pier 1 and Modell’s out of bankruptcy court.

Simon Property, Authentic Brands Make $305M Bid for Brooks Brothers

| Mike O'Brien

A partnership between mall giant Simon Property Group and apparel licensing firm Authentic Brands has made a $305 million bid to acquire the assets and intellectual property of Brooks Brothers out of bankruptcy court, according to various media reports. The partnership, named Sparc LLC, plans to keep at least 125 stores open.

Lane Bryant mall store

Ascena Retail Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Latest Victim of COVID

| Mike O'Brien

Ascena Retail Group, parent of iconic women’s apparel brands Lane Bryant and Ann Taylor, has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced plans to shutter 1,600 of the 2,800 stores across its various chains in an effort to reduce its massive debt by $1 billion. The news comes weeks after an executive bonus windfall.

FedEx robot sort arm

FedEx Express Adds Robotic Arms to Help Handle Ecommerce Surge

| Mike O'Brien

This month, FedEx Express installed four robotic arms inside a sortation hub in its hometown of Memphis, in response to demands placed on its services in the midst of the massive pandemic-influenced surge in ecommerce orders. Yaskawa America supplied the robotic arms and Plus One provided the software system.