Locus Robotics, RightHand Robotics Strike Partnership

| Mike O'Brien

Locus Robotics, makers of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment, and RightHand Robotics, creators of a stationary robotic picking arm, have partnered to work on joint solutions that combine batch picking and conveyance with automated sortation.

13 Ways to Get Ready Now for Peak Holiday Season Fulfillment

| Brian Barry

By now you should have your peak holiday season planning for this year well underway. If you’re behind schedule, there’s still time to implement improvements but you need to be prudent and not over commit. To help you be prepared, here are 13 critical considerations for improving peak holiday season operations and fulfillment processes this year:

Largest Two-Story Fulfillment Center in U.S. Going Up in the Bronx

| Mike O'Brien

The largest two-story fulfillment center in the country will be under construction later this year in the Bronx, NY, with a planned 2021 opening, enabling ecommerce tenants to service the New York metro market with same-day delivery. It will total 969,000 square feet, including 595,000 square feet of fulfillment space.

Ecommerce Operations Summit 2020 Call for Speakers Now Open

| Mike O'Brien

The 9th annual Ecommerce Operations Summit will be held April 14-16, 2020 at the Marriott Orlando World Center in Orlando, FL, and the call for speakers is now open! If you are an industry professional with your finger on the pulse and have a great story to share with your peers, we want to hear from you!

On-Demand Warehouse Provider FLEXE Raises $43M in New Funding

| Mike O'Brien

On-demand warehousing and fulfillment firm FLEXE has raised $43 million in Series B funding, led by Activate Capital and Tiger Global Management, with participation from Madrona Venture Group and follow-on investments from Redpoint Ventures, Prologis Ventures and others. Clients include Walmart, Staples and Toms.

3 Projects to Offset Ecommerce Fulfillment Center Labor Costs

| Brian Barry

This may be the perfect storm: A tight labor market insufficient for growth and holiday hiring. Are your ecommerce fulfillment center operations becoming efficient quickly enough to offset these labor increases? For most companies the answer is a resounding NO. Here are three projects to help you drive more productivity.

Powering Ecommerce Growth for Brands

| Mike O'Brien

From fast and free shipping to offering delivery choices, ecommerce companies need to be responsive and even proactive in anticipating needs, and outside partners often have the scale and expertise to make it happen. Learn how FedEx Fulfillment helped Revtown and BAWLS overcome operational challenges and grow their business.

Locus Robotics Raises $26M in Series C Round

| Mike O'Brien

Andover, MA-based Locus Robotics, spun out of 3PL Quiet Logistics in 2015, has raised $26 million in Series C funding, increasing its total to $66 million. The round was led by the venture arm of mobile scanning and printing technology firm Zebra Technologies and Scale Venture Partners.

20 Critical Implementation Tasks When Moving to a 3PL

| Brian Barry

Some ecommerce companies have gained tremendous benefits from third-party fulfillment partners. But once you contract with a 3PL you must develop a well thought out plan, coordinating with your departments and the partner as well as merchandise vendors, carriers and IT. Here are 20 critical tasks to ensure a smooth transition.

Ecommerce Operations Summit 2019: A Look Back in Photos

| Daniela Forte

The Multichannel Merchant team held its 8th Annual Ecommerce Operations Summit April 9 through 11 in Columbus, Ohio. The event included several highly attended sessions, engaging roundtables, warehouse tours and exciting keynote discussions. The exhibit hall was buzzing with sponsors and exhibitors, and attendees had the chance to network with their peers throughout the conference. Here is a look back at Ecommerce Operations Summit in photos. Enjoy!