While most markers indicate more than sufficient carrier capacity to meet Q4 demand, that doesn’t mean all is smooth sailing, with chokepoints and a possible dockworker strike. This operations special report on capacity management from Multichannel Merchant taps experts and retailers on the Q4 outlook and what to expect.
In a stunning move, FedEx said on Thursday a slowdown in volume worldwide contributed to a substantial Q1 revenue and income miss, and president and CEO Raj Subramanian told CNBC he believes a global recession is impending, as the company withdrew its fiscal 2023 forecast.
Paris-based major 3PL Geodis is acquiring Need It Now Delivers, adding last-mile delivery principally on the east coast, a capability that was lacking for the contract logistics, freight and fulfillment provider as it looks to ramp up its penetration into ecommerce and omnichannel companies.
With worldwide cross-border ecommerce sales reaching as high as $2 trillion by 2030, the opportunity is hard to ignore, but there are logistical hurdles to overcome. The good news: provider networks have made it easier than ever for even SMBs to jump in. This MCM report taps cross-border experts to explore both the risks and rewards of cross-border ecommerce in 2022 and beyond.
UPS exceeded its Q2 revenue and earnings projections, but lower volume due to consolidation steps, including reducing Amazon packages by contractual agreement, plus the challenged macro picture didn’t resonate well on Wall Street. UPS is also piloting a delivery density program for major retailers through an OMS partnership.
Körber Supply Chain, a unit of Hamburg-based Körber AG, is acquiring order management and freight audit assets from enVista, with the KKR-backed joint venture looking to more than double to $1 billion in revenue in 5-6 years as it pursues larger firms like Manhattan Associates and Blue Yonder.
As you expand into international shipping, be prepared for the associated complexities of cross-border ecommerce logistics. Businesses that have successful international expansion stories are often those that took the time to lay the critical groundwork, ensuring they were well prepared to handle and address emerging risks.
Plans for FedEx to consolidate its operations, announced last week to analysts and investors, is long overdue and should yield the efficiency benefits executives are expecting, especially given a fairly conservative five-year timeline, most experts agreed. Others saw FedEx following UPS’ lead with a heightened focus on revenue quality.
It’s no surprise that transmission of ecommerce logistics documents is turning digital, and in particular, via blockchain. It is a platform that seeks to connect the full ecommerce supply chain ecosystem from start to finish: Ports, ocean/air/rail/truck carriers, customs, freight forwarders, package shippers and more. The reward is massive.
Dave Clark, the 23-year Amazon veteran who unexpectedly stepped down last week after helping create its vaunted logistics operations, which became grossly overbuilt in the pandemic era, has been tapped as co-CEO of hot supply chain and freight forwarding company Flexport. Photo credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images