UPS Sees Record Profit, Peak Volume Inches Up

| Mike O'Brien

UPS saw package volume increase by a below-projection 0.2% in Q4, higher in the beginning and lighter at the end, as the Omicron surge, the pull-forward of shopper activity and retail inventory challenges weighed on the key metric, the company said in its fourth quarter call. Amazon represented 11.7% of its business in 2021.

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Legends of LTL: Debunking Four Common Myths

| Andrew Welling

Due to the complexity of freight shipping operations, many businesses that move large quantities of goods may have preconceived notions about LTL or believe common myths about why LTL isn’t right for them. By and large, these myths may be exactly the opposite of the how a well-organized and prepared 3PL handles LTL shipments.

Ecommerce Returns: Reducing the Profit Hit

| Brian Barry

For decades, studies show a high percent of customers feel ease of returning products impact their purchasing decisions. “Free” returns shipping makes shopping even more attractive. Who wants to buy a product that can’t be returned or carries onerous conditions? Here are 7 ways to lessen the profit impact of ecommerce returns.

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Robot Maker Exotec Raises $335M, Reaches $2B Valuation

| Mike O'Brien

Warehouse robotics firm Exotec has raised $335 million in a Series D funding round, reaching a valuation of $2 billion as the company looks to expand its business in North America, Europe and Asia and hire 500 engineers by 2025 to enhance capabilities like order picking and add unloading.

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Amazon Union Vote Redo Starts Feb. 4

| Mike O'Brien

The National Labor Relations Board on Tuesday ordered a second union vote at an Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer, AL in the eye of a major labor battle, with the vote to begin by mail-in ballot on Feb. 4. Amazon has agreed to not pursue reprisal actions against employees for union organizing activities, per an NLRB agreement.

Is a New Ecommerce Fulfillment Center Right for You?

| Brian Barry

Your company’s ecommerce fulfillment center is running out of space. You have been tasked with determining whether the existing facility can scale up to the five-year business plan, or a new facility is required. Here is a helpful checklist to use in evaluating both your existing and potential new ecommerce fulfillment facilities.

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Ecommerce Fulfillment: 3 Ways to Optimize in 2022

| Perry Belcastro

Many retailers and brands are in survival mode when it comes to ecommerce fulfillment, looking for ways to handle record online order volume and maintain brand integrity while navigating supply chain challenges, an ongoing labor shortage and rising costs. To survive and thrive in 2022, here are three core strategies that can help.

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Top 3PL Listing Published By Multichannel Merchant

| Mike O'Brien

Multichannel Merchant has published its seventh annual MCM Top 3PL listing for 2022, a searchable directory of leading third-party logistics (3PL) providers in ecommerce and direct-to-customer operations. It includes 60+ profiles with info on key capabilities, top merchandise categories, facility locations and more.

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Ryder Acquires Whiplash, Expands Network

| Mike O'Brien

Ryder System Inc. has significantly expanded its fulfillment network and added automation capabilities through the acquisition of 3PL Whiplash for $480 million, giving it warehouse assets in key markets and ports including Long Beach, CA, Seattle/Tacoma, New York/New Jersey and Savannah, GA.